The Impact of MCAT Intervention Efforts on Medical Student Acceptance Rates

PubMed Central

Pisano, Joseph C.; Epps, Anna Cherrie

1983-01-01

This study examines the role of Medical College Admissions Test review course in medical school admissions, and evaluates the relationship between undergraduate grade point average and MCAT scores. The results indicate that enrollment in a MCAT review course enhances medical school admissions for minority students. PMID:6631986

Predictive Validity of the MCAT as a Function of Undergraduate Institution.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zeleznik, Carter; And Others

1987-01-01

A study examining how the Medical College Admission Test's (MCAT) ability to predict early medical school performance differed for students from different undergraduate institutions raised questions about the use of the MCAT for admissions decisions. (MSE)

IRT Equating of the MCAT. MCAT Monograph.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hendrickson, Amy B.; Kolen, Michael J.

This study compared various equating models and procedures for a sample of data from the Medical College Admission Test(MCAT), considering how item response theory (IRT) equating results compare with classical equipercentile results and how the results based on use of various IRT models, observed score versus true score, direct versus linked…

The Persisting Racial Scoring Gap on Graduate and Professional School Admission Tests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Journal of Blacks in Higher Education, 2003

2003-01-01

Discusses the racial scoring gap on tests for admission to medical, business, law, and other graduate programs, noting that in the highest-scoring brackets on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the racial gap is even larger. Whites are five times, twelve times, and seven times more likely, respectively, to score higher on the MCAT, Law…

Medical colleges admission test in Punjab, Pakistan.

PubMed

Khan, Junaid Sarfraz; Biggs, John S G; Bano, Tahira; Mukhtar, Osama; Tabasum, Saima; Mubasshar, Malik Hussain

2013-01-01

Nearly 18,000 candidates securing 60% and above marks in Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC) examination contest for admission in Medical Colleges, in Punjab, Pakistan by sitting in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) each summer. This cross-sectional study was conducted to identify patterns related to demographic, economic and educational backgrounds, over a two-year-period, in this population, and how HSSC and MCAT marks predict future performance of the selected candidates. Marks obtained by candidates in HSSC, MCAT, and 1st Professional MBBS (Part-I) Examinations over two years 2008-2009, were analysed using parametric tests in SPSS. Total 18,090 candidates in 2008 and 18,486 in 2009 sat in the MCAT. National IHSSC candidates scored higher marks in HSSC and MCAT but lower marks than their foreign qualified HSSC counterparts (e.g., Advanced-levels from Cambridge University, UK) in Part-I overall and in all its subcomponents individually (p < 0.05). Female students scored higher marks than males in HSSC (p > 0.05). MCAT (p > 0.05) and Part-I theory, practical, viva voce, continuous assessment and Objective-Structured Performance Evaluation (OSPE) components (p < 0.05). In both years, students from the Dera Ghazi Khan District scored the highest marks in the HSSC Examinations (p < 0.05) but least marks in MCAT in 2008 (p < 0.05) and in Part-I in 2008 and 2009 (p < 0.05). Students from 'tougher' Boards like Rawalpindi in 2008 and the Federal Board in 2009 who scored least marks in HSSC scored highest marks in MCAT. and in Part-I Examinations (p < 0.05). Linear regression on Part-I by taking HSSC and MCAT marks as independent variables showed that the MCAT marks exerted the greatest positive influence consistently at 0.104 (2008) and 0.106 (2009). In 2009 HSSC marks were shown to exert a negative influence (-0.08) on Part-I. There is need to standardise HSSC education and examination across all Intermediate Boards. MCAT is a better predictor of Medical

Score Reporting for the 1991 Medical College Admission Test.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mitchell, Karen J.; Haynes, Robert

1990-01-01

Data used in a major review of the system for reporting scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) are presented and discussed. The data demonstrated the value of the current score-reporting system and led to retention of the 15-point MCAT score scale in 1991. (Author/MSE)

From MCAT to M.D.: Predicting Success in Medical School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert F.

The effectiveness of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores in predicting success during the first phase of medical education is investigated. The process by which medical students are educated and evaluated, the nature and purpose of the MCAT, and the MCAT Interpretive Studies Program developed by the Association of American Medical…

Factor Structure of the MCAT and Pilot Essay.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mitchell, Karen J.; Molidor, John B.

1986-01-01

Research reported in this paper considered the construct validity of a trial essay administered in 1985-87 Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The addition of the essay caused the non-science factor observed in previous MCAT research to be more strongly defined. (Author/LMO)

The MCAT and Success in Medical School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Feitz, Robert H.

This study looked at Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores by race in relation to medical college status. It was found that promoted students differed significantly on all four MCAT subtests from those dismissed for academic difficulties and those repeating a year. For both black and white racial groups, the latter two status categories…

Do Reading Experts Agree with MCAT Verbal Reasoning Item Classifications?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Evelyn W.; And Others

1994-01-01

Examined whether expert raters (n=5) could agree about classification of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) items and whether they agreed with MCAT student manual in labeling skill being measured by each test item. Results revealed difficulties in replicating authors' labeling of skills for reading items on practice test provided with 1991 MCAT…

The Medical College Admission Test: Past, Present, Future.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Erdmann, James B.; And Others

The evolution of the Medial College Admission Test (MCAT), its present constitution and operation, and plans for its future are discussed. Also included is a current selected bibliography on the test. (AG)

Does the MCAT predict medical school and PGY-1 performance?

PubMed

Saguil, Aaron; Dong, Ting; Gingerich, Robert J; Swygert, Kimberly; LaRochelle, Jeffrey S; Artino, Anthony R; Cruess, David F; Durning, Steven J

2015-04-01

The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is a high-stakes test required for entry to most U. S. medical schools; admissions committees use this test to predict future accomplishment. Although there is evidence that the MCAT predicts success on multiple choice-based assessments, there is little information on whether the MCAT predicts clinical-based assessments of undergraduate and graduate medical education performance. This study looked at associations between the MCAT and medical school grade point average (GPA), Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores, observed patient care encounters, and residency performance assessments. This study used data collected as part of the Long-Term Career Outcome Study to determine associations between MCAT scores, USMLE Step 1, Step 2 clinical knowledge and clinical skill, and Step 3 scores, Objective Structured Clinical Examination performance, medical school GPA, and PGY-1 program director (PD) assessment of physician performance for students graduating 2010 and 2011. MCAT data were available for all students, and the PGY PD evaluation response rate was 86.2% (N = 340). All permutations of MCAT scores (first, last, highest, average) were weakly associated with GPA, Step 2 clinical knowledge scores, and Step 3 scores. MCAT scores were weakly to moderately associated with Step 1 scores. MCAT scores were not significantly associated with Step 2 clinical skills Integrated Clinical Encounter and Communication and Interpersonal Skills subscores, Objective Structured Clinical Examination performance or PGY-1 PD evaluations. MCAT scores were weakly to moderately associated with assessments that rely on multiple choice testing. The association is somewhat stronger for assessments occurring earlier in medical school, such as USMLE Step 1. The MCAT was not able to predict assessments relying on direct clinical observation, nor was it able to predict PD assessment of PGY-1 performance. Reprint & Copyright © 2015 Association of

A Factor Comparison of Old and New MCAT Scales.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert F.; Thomae-Forgues, Maria

1981-01-01

The old Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the New MCAT were compared by factor-analyzing the scores of a sample of 1,484 examinees who took both tests during 1976-77. Three common factors are interpreted: a general science quantitative factor, verbal ability, and interpretation skills. Variances are noted and implications of the data for…

Characteristics of the 1998 MCAT Examinees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Peck, Jeremy; Cooke, Amy Isenberg

This publication is designed to help admissions committees, other medical school officers, and health professions advisors interpret students' Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) performance. The data can also help in comparing individual students with their peers in terms of attitudes, preferences, and beliefs about medical school and medical…

Association of MCAT scores obtained with standard vs extra administration time with medical school admission, medical student performance, and time to graduation.

PubMed

Searcy, Cynthia A; Dowd, Keith W; Hughes, Michael G; Baldwin, Sean; Pigg, Trey

2015-06-09

Individuals with documented disabilities may receive accommodations on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Whether such accommodations are associated with MCAT scores, medical school admission, and medical school performance is unclear. To determine the comparability of MCAT scores obtained with standard vs extra administration time with respect to likelihood of acceptance to medical school and future medical student performance. Retrospective cohort study of applicants to US medical schools for the 2011-2013 entering classes who reported MCAT scores obtained with standard time (n = 133,962) vs extra time (n = 435), and of students who matriculated in US medical schools from 2000-2004 who reported MCAT scores obtained with standard time (n = 76,262) vs extra time (n = 449). Standard or extra administration time during MCAT. Primary outcome measures were acceptance rates at US medical schools and graduation rates within 4 or 5 years after matriculation. Secondary outcome measures were pass rates on the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step examinations and graduation rates within 6 to 8 years after matriculation. Acceptance rates were not significantly different for applicants who had MCAT scores obtained with standard vs extra time (44.5% [59,585/133,962] vs 43.9% [191/435]; difference, 0.6% [95% CI, -4.1 to 5.3]). Students who tested with extra time passed the Step examinations on first attempt at significantly lower rates (Step 1, 82.1% [344/419] vs 94.0% [70,188/74,668]; difference, 11.9% [95% CI, 9.6% to 14.2%]; Step 2 CK, 85.5% [349/408] vs 95.4% [70,476/73,866]; difference, 9.9% [95% CI, 7.8% to 11.9%]; Step 2 CS, 92.0% [288/313] vs 97.0% [60,039/61,882]; difference, 5.0% [95% CI, 3.1% to 6.9%]). They also graduated from medical school at significantly lower rates at different times (4 years, 67.2% [285/424] vs 86.1% [60,547/70,305]; difference, 18.9% [95% CI, 15.6% to 22.2%]; 5 years, 81.6% [346/424] vs 94.4% [66

Validity of the Medical College Admission Test for Predicting MD-PhD Student Outcomes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bills, James L.; VanHouten, Jacob; Grundy, Michelle M.; Chalkley, Roger; Dermody, Terence S.

2016-01-01

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a quantitative metric used by MD and MD-PhD programs to evaluate applicants for admission. This study assessed the validity of the MCAT in predicting training performance measures and career outcomes for MD-PhD students at a single institution. The study population consisted of 153 graduates of the…

Physics and the revised Medical College Admission Test

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hilborn, Robert C.

2014-05-01

Physics has played an important role in the preparation of future physicians and other health professionals for more than 100 years. Almost all pre-health students take a year of college-level physics as part of their preparation for medical, dental, and pharmacy school. In particular, the widely-used Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) contains a significant number of questions that require physics knowledge and skills. This paper describes the changes in the MCAT to be implemented in 2015, the role of physics in the revised MCAT, and implications for introductory physics courses for the life sciences.

Preliminary Investigation of the 1991 Medical College Admission Test Factor Structure.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Li, Weichang; Mitchell, Karen J.

A substantially revised Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) was introduced in spring 1991. The new examination is designed to assess critical thinking skills, basic concepts and problem solving facility in science, and writing skills. This paper reports preliminary findings on the factor structure of the revised MCAT, which consists of four…

MCAT, LSAT and Physics Bachelor's. Focus On

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Statistical Research Center of the American Institute of Physics, 2013

2013-01-01

Physics majors pursue a wide variety of career paths, many of which are not what you might expect. Some pursue advanced training by applying to graduate schools, medical schools, or law schools. The Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and Law School Admission Test (LSAT) data in this report show that the physics majors who applied to either…

Relationships of Reading, MCAT, and USMLE Step 1 Test Results for Medical Students

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haught, Patricia; Walls, Richard

2004-01-01

Students (N = 730) took the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (current forms G or H) during orientation to medical school. Stepwise regression analyses showed the Nelson-Denny Reading Vocabulary, Comprehension, and Rate were significant predictors of MCAT (taken prior to admission to medical school) verbal reasoning. Reading Vocabulary was a significant…

Racial/Ethnic Differences in the Predictive Validity of MCAT Scores.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert F.; Mitchell, Karen

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score differences were examined for Black and White examinees who entered American medical schools in 1978 and 1979. The incidence of academic difficulty resulting in delayed graduation, withdrawal, or dismissal was also examined. The MCAT provides six scores: biology, chemistry, physics, science problems,…

Predicting MCAT Examination Scores.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dawson-Saunders, Beth; And Others

Acceptable performance on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) is necessary for acceptance into medical school; therefore, students planning a career in medicine and their advisors would benefit by having information useful in predicting performance on this examination. The present study examined the validity of the ACT Assessment as such a…

An Empirical Investigation of Change in MCAT Scores upon Retest.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hynes, Kevin; Givner, Nathaniel

1980-01-01

An investigation of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) retest scores indicates that limited retest improvement may result when initial scores are fairly low or below what might be predicted based on grade point averages. However, when initial scores approach the national, standardized MCAT mean, or are above what might be predicted, significant…

Validity of the MCAT in Predicting Performance in the First Two Years of Medical School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert F.; Thomae-Forgues, Maria

1984-01-01

The first systematic summary of predictive validity research on the new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is presented. The results show that MCAT scores have significant predictive validity with respect to first- and second-year medical school course grades. Further directions for MCAT validity research are described. (Author/MLW)

Adult Learners: Relationships of Reading, MCAT, and USMLE Step 1 Test Results for Medical Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Haught, Patricia A.; Walls, Richard T.

This study examined the possible relationship between scores on the Nelson-Denny Reading Test (current forms G and H) and performance on the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 examination scores. Participants were 730 medical students at a mid-Atlantic university, and for 572…

Redesigning the MCAT exam: balancing multiple perspectives.

PubMed

Schwartzstein, Richard M; Rosenfeld, Gary C; Hilborn, Robert; Oyewole, Saundra Herndon; Mitchell, Karen

2013-05-01

The authors of this commentary discuss the recently completed review of the current Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), which has been used since 1991, and describe the blueprint for the new test that will be introduced in 2015. The design of the MCAT exam reflects changes in medical education, medical science, health care delivery, and the needs of the populations served by graduates of U.S. and Canadian medical schools. The authors describe how balancing the ambitious goals for the new exam and the varying priorities of the testing program's many stakeholders made blueprint design complex. They discuss the tensions and trade-offs that characterized the design process as well as the deliberations and data that shaped the blueprint.The blueprint for the MCAT exam balances the assessment of a broad range of competencies in the natural, social, and behavioral sciences and critical analysis and reasoning skills that are essential to entering students' success in medical school. The exam will include four sections: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems; Chemical and Physical Foundations of Biological Systems; Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior; and Critical Analysis and Reasoning Skills.The authors also offer recommendations for admission committees, advising them to review applicants' test scores, course work, and other academic, personal, and experiential credentials as part of a holistic admission process and in relation to their institutions' educational, scientific, clinical, and service-oriented goals.

Association between the Medical College Admission Test scores and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society membership.

PubMed

Gauer, Jacqueline L; Jackson, J Brooks

2017-01-01

Medical schools worldwide are faced with the challenge of selecting from among many qualified applicants. One factor that might help admissions committees identify future exceptional medical students is scores on standardized entrance exams. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between scores on the most commonly used standardized medical school entrance exam in the USA, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and election to the US medical honors society, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA). MCAT scores and AOA membership data were analyzed for all the students pursuing Doctor of Medicine degrees at the University of Minnesota Medical School and who graduated between 2012-2016 (n=1,309). An independent-samples t -test found a significant difference (t=6.132, p <0.001) in MCAT scores between those who were elected to AOA (n=179) and those who were not (n=1,130). On average, students who were elected to AOA had composite MCAT scores of 1.65 points higher than those who were not. Percentages of students elected to AOA gradually but inconsistently increased with MCAT score. No student who scored <27 on the MCAT was elected to AOA. Among students with MCAT scores at the 99th percentile or above (scores of ≥38), 13 of 48 (27.1%) were elected to AOA. Election to AOA during medical school was significantly associated with higher MCAT scores. Admissions committees should carefully consider the role of standardized entrance exam scores, in the context of a holistic review, when selecting for exceptional medical students.

Association between the Medical College Admission Test scores and Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honors Society membership

PubMed Central

Gauer, Jacqueline L; Jackson, J Brooks

2017-01-01

Introduction Medical schools worldwide are faced with the challenge of selecting from among many qualified applicants. One factor that might help admissions committees identify future exceptional medical students is scores on standardized entrance exams. The purpose of this study was to determine the association between scores on the most commonly used standardized medical school entrance exam in the USA, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and election to the US medical honors society, Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA). Method MCAT scores and AOA membership data were analyzed for all the students pursuing Doctor of Medicine degrees at the University of Minnesota Medical School and who graduated between 2012–2016 (n=1,309). Results An independent-samples t-test found a significant difference (t=6.132, p<0.001) in MCAT scores between those who were elected to AOA (n=179) and those who were not (n=1,130). On average, students who were elected to AOA had composite MCAT scores of 1.65 points higher than those who were not. Percentages of students elected to AOA gradually but inconsistently increased with MCAT score. No student who scored <27 on the MCAT was elected to AOA. Among students with MCAT scores at the 99th percentile or above (scores of ≥38), 13 of 48 (27.1%) were elected to AOA. Discussion Election to AOA during medical school was significantly associated with higher MCAT scores. Admissions committees should carefully consider the role of standardized entrance exam scores, in the context of a holistic review, when selecting for exceptional medical students. PMID:28979178

MCAT Verbal Reasoning score: less predictive of medical school performance for English language learners.

PubMed

Winegarden, Babbi; Glaser, Dale; Schwartz, Alan; Kelly, Carolyn

2012-09-01

Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores are widely used as part of the decision-making process for selecting candidates for admission to medical school. Applicants who learned English as a second language may be at a disadvantage when taking tests in their non-native language. Preliminary research found significant differences between English language learners (ELLs), applicants who learned English after the age of 11 years, and non-ELL examinees on the Verbal Reasoning (VR) sub-test of the MCAT. The purpose of this study was to determine if relationships between VR sub-test scores and measures of medical school performance differed between ELL and non-ELL students. Scores on the MCAT VR sub-test and student performance outcomes (grades, examination scores, and markers of distinction and difficulty) were extracted from University of California San Diego School of Medicine admissions files and the Association of American Medical Colleges database for 924 students who matriculated in 1998-2005 (graduation years 2002-2009). Regression models were fitted to determine whether MCAT VR sub-test scores predicted medical school performance similarly for ELLs and non-ELLs. For several outcomes, including pre-clerkship grades, academic distinction, US Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Knowledge scores and two clerkship shelf examinations, ELL status significantly affects the ability of the VR score to predict performance. Higher correlations between VR score and medical school performance emerged for non-ELL students than for ELL students for each of these outcomes. The MCAT VR score should be used with discretion when assessing ELL applicants for admission to medical school. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2012.

Incorporating Problem-Based Learning Methodology To Prepare for the Medical College Admission Test.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Baiyee, William Agbor

The effectiveness of problem-based learning (PBL) in preparing for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) was studied. A 10-week PBL experience was implemented to supplement lecture-based instruction in preparing for the MCAT. Over 2 years, 33 students participated. Participants met for 3 hours in small PBL groups directed by a tutor three…

Validity of the Medical College Admission Test for predicting MD-PhD student outcomes.

PubMed

Bills, James L; VanHouten, Jacob; Grundy, Michelle M; Chalkley, Roger; Dermody, Terence S

2016-03-01

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) is a quantitative metric used by MD and MD-PhD programs to evaluate applicants for admission. This study assessed the validity of the MCAT in predicting training performance measures and career outcomes for MD-PhD students at a single institution. The study population consisted of 153 graduates of the Vanderbilt Medical Scientist Training Program (combined MD-PhD program) who matriculated between 1963 and 2003 and completed dual-degree training. This population was divided into three cohorts corresponding to the version of the MCAT taken at the time of application. Multivariable regression (logistic for binary outcomes and linear for continuous outcomes) was used to analyze factors associated with outcome measures. The MCAT score and undergraduate GPA (uGPA) were treated as independent variables; medical and graduate school grades, time-to-PhD defense, USMLE scores, publication number, and career outcome were dependent variables. For cohort 1 (1963-1977), MCAT score was not associated with any assessed outcome, although uGPA was associated with medical school preclinical GPA and graduate school GPA (gsGPA). For cohort 2 (1978-1991), MCAT score was associated with USMLE Step II score and inversely correlated with publication number, and uGPA was associated with preclinical GPA (mspGPA) and clinical GPA (mscGPA). For cohort 3 (1992-2003), the MCAT score was associated with mscGPA, and uGPA was associated with gsGPA. Overall, MCAT score and uGPA were inconsistent or weak predictors of training metrics and career outcomes for this population of MD-PhD students.

Characteristics of the 1999 MCAT Examinees.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC.

This publication is designed to help admissions committees, other medical school officials, and health professional advisors interpret student Medical College Admission (MCAT) performance. Data presented in this publication may be useful for those providing career counseling or designing programs to attract students to the practice of medicine.…

Predicting Performance during Clinical Years from the New Medical College Admission Test.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Caroline, Jan D.; And Others

1983-01-01

The results of a predictive validity study of the new Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) using criteria from the clinical years of undergraduate medical education are discussed. The criteria included course grades and faculty ratings of clerks in internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry. (Author/MLW)

The influence of MCAT and GPA preadmission academic metrics on interview scores.

PubMed

Gay, Steven E; Santen, Sally A; Mangrulkar, Rajesh S; Sisson, Thomas H; Ross, Paula T; Zaidi, Nikki L Bibler

2018-03-01

Medical school admissions interviews are used to assess applicants' nonacademic characteristics as advocated by the Association of American Medical Colleges' Advancing Holistic Review Initiative. The objective of this study is to determine whether academic metrics continue to significantly influence interviewers' scores in holistic processes by blinding interviewers to applicants' undergraduate grade point averages (uGPA) and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). This study examines academic and demographic predictors of interview scores for two applicant cohorts at the University of Michigan Medical School. In 2012, interviewers were provided applicants' uGPA and MCAT scores; in 2013, these academic metrics were withheld from interviewers' files. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine the influence of academic and demographic variables on overall cohort interview scores. When interviewers were provided uGPA and MCAT scores, academic metrics explained more variation in interview scores (7.9%) than when interviewers were blinded to these metrics (4.1%). Further analysis showed a statistically significant interaction between cohort and uGPA, indicating that the association between uGPA and interview scores was significantly stronger for the 2012 unblinded cohort compared to the 2013 blinded cohort (β = .573, P < .05). By contrast, MCAT scores had no interactive effects on interviewer scores. While MCAT scores accounted for some variation in interview scores for both cohorts, only access to uGPA significantly influenced interviewers' scores when looking at interaction effects. Withholding academic metrics from interviewers' files may promote assessment of nonacademic characteristics independently from academic metrics.

Evaluation of the IRT Parameter Invariance Property for the MCAT.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kelkar, Vinaya; Wightman, Linda F.; Luecht, Richard M.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the viability of the property of parameter invariance for the one-parameter (1P), two-parameter (2P), and three-parameter (3P) item response theory (IRT) models for the Medical College Admissions Tests (MCAT). Invariance of item parameters across different gender, ethnic, and language groups and the…

Comparison of the Incremental Validity of the Old and New MCAT.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wolf, Fredric M.; And Others

The predictive and incremental validity of both the Old and New Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) was examined and compared with a sample of over 300 medical students. Results of zero order and incremental validity coefficients, as well as prediction models resulting from all possible subsets regression analyses using Mallow's Cp criterion,…

Predictive value of grade point average (GPA), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), internal examinations (Block) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) scores on Medical Council of Canada qualifying examination part I (MCCQE-1) scores.

PubMed

Roy, Banibrata; Ripstein, Ira; Perry, Kyle; Cohen, Barry

2016-01-01

To determine whether the pre-medical Grade Point Average (GPA), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), Internal examinations (Block) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) scores are correlated with and predict the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination Part I (MCCQE-1) scores. Data from 392 admitted students in the graduating classes of 2010-2013 at University of Manitoba (UofM), College of Medicine was considered. Pearson's correlation to assess the strength of the relationship, multiple linear regression to estimate MCCQE-1 score and stepwise linear regression to investigate the amount of variance were employed. Complete data from 367 (94%) students were studied. The MCCQE-1 had a moderate-to-large positive correlation with NBME scores and Block scores but a low correlation with GPA and MCAT scores. The multiple linear regression model gives a good estimate of the MCCQE-1 (R2 =0.604). Stepwise regression analysis demonstrated that 59.2% of the variation in the MCCQE-1 was accounted for by the NBME, but only 1.9% by the Block exams, and negligible variation came from the GPA and the MCAT. Amongst all the examinations used at UofM, the NBME is most closely correlated with MCCQE-1.

Diversity efforts, admissions, and national rankings: can we align priorities?

PubMed

Heller, Caren A; Rúa, Sandra Hurtado; Mazumdar, Madhu; Moon, Jennifer E; Bardes, Charles; Gotto, Antonio M

2014-01-01

Increasing student body diversity is a priority for national health education and professional organizations and for many medical schools. However, national rankings of medical schools, such as those published by U.S. News & World Report, place a heavy emphasis on grade point average (GPA) and Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores, without considering student body diversity. These rankings affect organizational reputation and admissions outcomes, even though there is considerable controversy surrounding the predictive value of GPA and MCAT scores. Our aim in this article was to explore the relationship between standard admissions practices, which typically aim to attract students with the highest academic scores, and student body diversity. We examined how changes in GPA and MCAT scores over 5 years correlated with the percentage of enrolled students who are underrepresented in medicine. In a majority of medical schools in the United States from 2005 to 2009, average GPA and MCAT scores of applicants increased, whereas the percentage of enrolled students who are underrepresented in medicine decreased. Our findings suggest that efforts to increase the diversity of medical school student bodies may be complicated by a desire to maintain high average GPA and MCAT scores. We propose that U.S. News revise its ranking methodology by incorporating a new diversity score into its student selectivity score and by reducing the weight placed on GPA and MCAT scores.

Training Scientific Thinking Skills: Evidence from an MCAT[superscript 2015]-Aligned Classroom Module

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stevens, Courtney; Witkow, Melissa R.

2014-01-01

The present study reports on the development and evaluation of a classroom module to train scientific thinking skills. The module was implemented in two of four parallel sections of introductory psychology. To assess learning, a passage-based question set from the medical college admissions test (MCAT[superscript 2015]) preview guide was included…

"It's on the MCAT for a Reason": Premedical Students and the Perceived Utility of Sociology

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olsen, Lauren D.

2016-01-01

Biomedical socialization and premed culture have been shown to promote reductionist and depersonalized approaches to understanding human difference, a serious problem in contemporary health care. In 2015, the Association for American Medical Colleges (AAMC) launched a new version of its Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) that included material…

Correlation between MCAT Biology Content Specifications and Topic Scope and Sequence of General Education College Biology Textbooks

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rissing, Steven W.

2013-01-01

Most American colleges and universities offer gateway biology courses to meet the needs of three undergraduate audiences: biology and related science majors, many of whom will become biomedical researchers; premedical students meeting medical school requirements and preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT); and students completing…

Traditional Admissions Variables as Predictors of Minority Students' Performance in Medical School — A Cause for Concern

PubMed Central

Johnson, Henry C.; Rosevear, G. Craig

1977-01-01

This study explored the relationship between traditional admissions criteria, performance in the first semester of medical school, and performance on the National Board of Medical Examiners' (NBME) Examination, Part 1 for minority medical students, non-minority medical students, and the two groups combined. Correlational analysis and step-wise multiple regression procedures were used as the analysis techniques. A different pattern of admissions variables related to National Board Part 1 performance for the two groups. The General Information section of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) contributed the most variance for the minority student group. MCAT-Science contributed the most variance for the non-minority student group. MCATs accounted for a substantial portion of the variance on the National Board examination. PMID:904005

Do MCAT scores predict USMLE scores? An analysis on 5 years of medical student data.

PubMed

Gauer, Jacqueline L; Wolff, Josephine M; Jackson, J Brooks

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to determine the associations and predictive values of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) component and composite scores prior to 2015 with U.S. Medical Licensure Exam (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores, with a focus on whether students scoring low on the MCAT were particularly likely to continue to score low on the USMLE exams. Multiple linear regression, correlation, and chi-square analyses were performed to determine the relationship between MCAT component and composite scores and USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores from five graduating classes (2011-2015) at the University of Minnesota Medical School ( N =1,065). The multiple linear regression analyses were both significant ( p <0.001). The three MCAT component scores together explained 17.7% of the variance in Step 1 scores ( p< 0.001) and 12.0% of the variance in Step 2 CK scores ( p <0.001). In the chi-square analyses, significant, albeit weak associations were observed between almost all MCAT component scores and USMLE scores (Cramer's V ranged from 0.05 to 0.24). Each of the MCAT component scores was significantly associated with USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores, although the effect size was small. Being in the top or bottom scoring range of the MCAT exam was predictive of being in the top or bottom scoring range of the USMLE exams, although the strengths of the associations were weak to moderate. These results indicate that MCAT scores are predictive of student performance on the USMLE exams, but, given the small effect sizes, should be considered as part of the holistic view of the student.

Constructing an Online MCAT Preparation Program as an Alternative to On-Site Preparation for Medical School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Navarre, Berengaria; Perez, Norma A.; Smith, Sarah Toombs

2017-01-01

Based on a successful five-week summer program, we constructed an online alternative to prepare Hispanic students to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). We used input from student premed advisors, students, a faculty mentor, a Verbal Reasoning coach, and the program administrator. Online activities were provided to support the student…

Do MCAT scores predict USMLE scores? An analysis on 5 years of medical student data

PubMed Central

Gauer, Jacqueline L.; Wolff, Josephine M.; Jackson, J. Brooks

2016-01-01

Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the associations and predictive values of Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) component and composite scores prior to 2015 with U.S. Medical Licensure Exam (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2 Clinical Knowledge (CK) scores, with a focus on whether students scoring low on the MCAT were particularly likely to continue to score low on the USMLE exams. Method Multiple linear regression, correlation, and chi-square analyses were performed to determine the relationship between MCAT component and composite scores and USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores from five graduating classes (2011–2015) at the University of Minnesota Medical School (N=1,065). Results The multiple linear regression analyses were both significant (p<0.001). The three MCAT component scores together explained 17.7% of the variance in Step 1 scores (p<0.001) and 12.0% of the variance in Step 2 CK scores (p<0.001). In the chi-square analyses, significant, albeit weak associations were observed between almost all MCAT component scores and USMLE scores (Cramer's V ranged from 0.05 to 0.24). Discussion Each of the MCAT component scores was significantly associated with USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 CK scores, although the effect size was small. Being in the top or bottom scoring range of the MCAT exam was predictive of being in the top or bottom scoring range of the USMLE exams, although the strengths of the associations were weak to moderate. These results indicate that MCAT scores are predictive of student performance on the USMLE exams, but, given the small effect sizes, should be considered as part of the holistic view of the student. PMID:27702431

The effectiveness of AGU-MCAT in predicting medical student performance in year one of the College of Medicine of the Arabian Gulf University.

PubMed

Alnasir, F A; Jaradat, A A

2011-08-01

To graduate good doctors, medical schools should adopt proper student procedures to select among applicant students. When selecting students, many medical colleges focus solely on their academic achievement on high school examinations, which do not reflect all, important attributes of student. For several years, the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences of the Arabian Gulf University has introduced and administered the AGU-MCAT (Arabian Gulf University Medical College Assessment Test) for screening student applicants. This study aimed to assess the ability of the AGU-MCAT to predict students' performance during their first year college study, as an example of one school's multi-dimensional admissions screening process. The AGU-MCAT is made up of three parts, including a written test on science, a test of students' English language skills and an interview. In the first part, students' science knowledge is tested with 100 multiple choice questions. The English exam assesses students. English reading and listening skills. Lastly, students are interviewed by two faculty members and one senior student to assess their personal qualities. The 138 students who passed the AGU-MCAT in September 2008 and matriculated in the school were studied. Their performance during Year One including their performance on exams in the various disciplines was compared to their achievement on the three AGU-MCAT components. AGU-MCAT's total mark and its science component had the highest linear relationship to students' performance in the various disciplines in Year One, while the strongest predictor of students' performance at the end of Year One was the AGU-MCAT's science test (R2=45.5%). Students' grades in high school did not predict their achievement in Year One. The AGU-MCAT used to screen applicants to the school also predicts students' performance during their first year of medical school.

The predictive validity of the MCAT exam in relation to academic performance through medical school: a national cohort study of 2001-2004 matriculants.

PubMed

Dunleavy, Dana M; Kroopnick, Marc H; Dowd, Keith W; Searcy, Cynthia A; Zhao, Xiaohui

2013-05-01

Most research examining the predictive validity of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) has focused on the relationship between MCAT scores and scores on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step exams. This study examined whether MCAT scores predict students' unimpeded progress toward graduation (UP), which the authors defined as not withdrawing or being dismissed for academic reasons, graduating within five years of matriculation, and passing the Step 1, Step 2 Clinical Knowledge, and Step 2 Clinical Skills exams on the first attempt. Students who matriculated during 2001-2004 at 119 U.S. medical schools were included in the analyses. Logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the relationships between UP and MCAT total scores alone, undergraduate grade point averages (UGPAs) alone, and UGPAs and MCAT total scores together. All analyses were conducted at the school level and were considered together to evaluate relationships across schools. The majority of matriculants experienced UP. Together, UGPAs and MCAT total scores predicted UP well. MCAT total scores alone were a better predictor than UGPAs alone. Relationships were similar across schools; however, there was more variability across schools in the relationship between UP and UGPAs than between UP and MCAT total scores. The combination of UGPAs and MCAT total scores performs well as a predictor of UP. Both UGPAs and MCAT total scores are strong predictors of academic performance in medical school through graduation, not just the first two years. Further, these relationships generalize across medical schools.

A Changing Tide: What the New ‘Foundations of Behavior’ Section of the 2015 Medical College Admissions Test® Might Mean for Undergraduate Neuroscience Programs

PubMed Central

Roxanne Prichard, J.

2015-01-01

Each year over 50,000 college students and alumni take the Medical College Admissions Test® (MCAT) and apply for admissions to medical school. After an extensive review process, the MCAT has undergone a major revision in form and content in order to better reflect the competencies medical students will need to be successful in their training and practice. Starting in April 2015, for the first time since the test’s inception, the MCAT will include social and behavioral sciences content. The new section of the MCAT exam titled “The Psychological, Social and Biological Foundations of Behavior” will test pre-health competencies that combine content knowledge with scientific inquiry and reasoning skills. Anticipating growing interest in curriculum related to the new competency based content on the exam, the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges) established the Pre-health Collection within MedEdPORTAL’s iCollaborative, a free repository of teaching resources. This online space gives faculty members the opportunity to share access to instructional resources in order to prepare or revise courses to include pre-health competencies. As a result of the increased content related to mind-body connections, undergraduate pre-medical students will be more likely to enroll in neuroscience courses to learn these competencies, or declare neuroscience majors, as the typical neuroscience major course requirements now meet most of the suggested pre-requisite competencies for medical school. PMID:25838809

A twelve-year profile of students' SAT scores, GPAs, and MCAT scores from a small university's premedical program.

PubMed

Montague, J R; Frei, J K

1993-04-01

To determine whether significant correlations existed among quantitative and qualitative predictors of students' academic success and quantitative outcomes of such success over a 12-year period in a small university's premedical program. A database was assembled from information on the 199 graduates who earned BS degrees in biology from Barry University's School of Natural and Health Sciences from 1980 through 1991. The quantitative variables were year of BS degree, total score on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), various measures of undergraduate grade-point averages (GPAs), and total score on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT); and the qualitative variables were minority (54% of the students) or majority status and transfer (about one-third of the students) or nontransfer status. The statistical methods were multiple analysis of variance and stepwise multiple regression. Statistically significant positive correlations were found among SAT total scores, final GPAs, biology GPAs versus nonbiology GPAs, and MCAT total scores. These correlations held for transfer versus nontransfer students and for minority versus majority students. Over the 12-year period there were significant fluctuations in mean MCAT scores. The students' SAT scores and GPAs proved to be statistically reliable predictors of MCAT scores, but the minority or majority status and the transfer or nontransfer status of the students were statistically insignificant.

Correlation between MCAT biology content specifications and topic scope and sequence of general education college biology textbooks.

PubMed

Rissing, Steven W

2013-01-01

Most American colleges and universities offer gateway biology courses to meet the needs of three undergraduate audiences: biology and related science majors, many of whom will become biomedical researchers; premedical students meeting medical school requirements and preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT); and students completing general education (GE) graduation requirements. Biology textbooks for these three audiences present a topic scope and sequence that correlates with the topic scope and importance ratings of the biology content specifications for the MCAT regardless of the intended audience. Texts for "nonmajors," GE courses appear derived directly from their publisher's majors text. Topic scope and sequence of GE texts reflect those of "their" majors text and, indirectly, the MCAT. MCAT term density of GE texts equals or exceeds that of their corresponding majors text. Most American universities require a GE curriculum to promote a core level of academic understanding among their graduates. This includes civic scientific literacy, recognized as an essential competence for the development of public policies in an increasingly scientific and technological world. Deriving GE biology and related science texts from majors texts designed to meet very different learning objectives may defeat the scientific literacy goals of most schools' GE curricula.

Correlation between MCAT Biology Content Specifications and Topic Scope and Sequence of General Education College Biology Textbooks

PubMed Central

Rissing, Steven W.

2013-01-01

Most American colleges and universities offer gateway biology courses to meet the needs of three undergraduate audiences: biology and related science majors, many of whom will become biomedical researchers; premedical students meeting medical school requirements and preparing for the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT); and students completing general education (GE) graduation requirements. Biology textbooks for these three audiences present a topic scope and sequence that correlates with the topic scope and importance ratings of the biology content specifications for the MCAT regardless of the intended audience. Texts for “nonmajors,” GE courses appear derived directly from their publisher's majors text. Topic scope and sequence of GE texts reflect those of “their” majors text and, indirectly, the MCAT. MCAT term density of GE texts equals or exceeds that of their corresponding majors text. Most American universities require a GE curriculum to promote a core level of academic understanding among their graduates. This includes civic scientific literacy, recognized as an essential competence for the development of public policies in an increasingly scientific and technological world. Deriving GE biology and related science texts from majors texts designed to meet very different learning objectives may defeat the scientific literacy goals of most schools’ GE curricula. PMID:24006392

Assessing Personal Qualities in Medical School Admissions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albanese, Mark A.; Snow, Mikel H.; Skochelak, Susan E.; Huggett, Kathryn N.; Farrell, Philip M.

2003-01-01

Analyzes the challenges to using academic measures (MCAT scores and GPAs) as thresholds for medical school admissions and, for applicants exceeding the threshold, using personal qualities for admission decisions; reviews the literature on using the medical school interview and other admission data to assess personal qualities of applicants;…

Scylla and Charybdis: The MCAT, USMLE, and Degrees of Freedom in Undergraduate Medical Education.

PubMed

Gliatto, Peter; Leitman, I Michael; Muller, David

2016-11-01

In recent years, medical educators have been making meaningful attempts to rethink how premedical students are prepared for medical school, and how medical students are prepared for residency. Among the many challenges to redesigning premedical and medical school curricula, one that stands out is the constraint imposed by our current methods of assessing aptitude, particularly our use of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) and the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE). For much of the past century, medical school and residency admissions committees have relied heavily on MCAT and USMLE scores to evaluate and rank candidates to their programs. These high-stakes exams determine to a large extent what is taught, and what is stressed, in preparation for and during medical school-despite the fact that scores have limited ability to predict future success in clinical medicine or biomedical research. Additionally, evidence indicates that students from disadvantaged and minority backgrounds do not fare as well on these exams and, as a result, may be disproportionately excluded from the medical profession. While medical school admissions committees have made limited incremental gains in holistic review, residency programs appear to be increasingly focused on USMLE Step scores and veering away from the spirit of holistic review. The authors propose that substantive change will remain slow in coming unless members of the medical education community radically rethink how we report scores from these exams, and how we use them in our selection of future medical students and residents.

Modeling respiratory mechanics in the MCAT and spline-based MCAT phantoms

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Segars, W. P.; Lalush, D. S.; Tsui, B. M. W.

2001-02-01

Respiratory motion can cause artifacts in myocardial SPECT and computed tomography (CT). The authors incorporate models of respiratory mechanics into the current 4D MCAT and into the next generation spline-based MCAT phantoms. In order to simulate respiratory motion in the current MCAT phantom, the geometric solids for the diaphragm, heart, ribs, and lungs were altered through manipulation of parameters defining them. Affine transformations were applied to the control points defining the same respiratory structures in the spline-based MCAT phantom to simulate respiratory motion. The Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline (NURBS) surfaces for the lungs and body outline were constructed in such a way as to be linked to the surrounding ribs. Expansion and contraction of the thoracic cage then coincided with expansion and contraction of the lungs and body. The changes both phantoms underwent were spline-interpolated over time to create time continuous 4D respiratory models. The authors then used the geometry-based and spline-based MCAT phantoms in an initial simulation study of the effects of respiratory motion on myocardial SPECT. The simulated reconstructed images demonstrated distinct artifacts in the inferior region of the myocardium. It is concluded that both respiratory models can be effective tools for researching effects of respiratory motion.

Statistical Criteria for Setting Thresholds in Medical School Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albanese, Mark A.; Farrell, Philip; Dottl, Susan

2005-01-01

In 2001, Dr. Jordan Cohen, President of the AAMC, called for medical schools to consider using an Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) threshold to eliminate high-risk applicants from consideration and then to use non-academic qualifications for further consideration. This approach would seem to be consistent with the recent Supreme Court ruling…

Changes in chemistry and biochemistry education: creative responses to medical college admissions test revisions in the age of the genome.

PubMed

Brenner, Charles

2013-01-01

Approximately two million students matriculate into American colleges and universities per year. Almost 20% of these students begin taking a series of courses specified by advisers of health preprofessionals. The single most important influence on health profession advisers and on course selection for this huge population of learners is the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT), which was last revised in 1991, 10 years before publication of the first draft human genome sequence. In preparation for the 2015 MCAT, there is a broad discussion among stakeholders of how best to revise undergraduate and medical education in the molecular sciences to prepare researchers and doctors to acquire, analyze and use individual genomic and metabolomic data in the coming decades. Getting these changes right is among the most important educational problems of our era. Copyright © 2012 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

The predictive validity of three versions of the MCAT in relation to performance in medical school, residency, and licensing examinations: a longitudinal study of 36 classes of Jefferson Medical College.

PubMed

Callahan, Clara A; Hojat, Mohammadreza; Veloski, Jon; Erdmann, James B; Gonnella, Joseph S

2010-06-01

The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) has undergone several revisions for content and validity since its inception. With another comprehensive review pending, this study examines changes in the predictive validity of the MCAT's three recent versions. Study participants were 7,859 matriculants in 36 classes entering Jefferson Medical College between 1970 and 2005; 1,728 took the pre-1978 version of the MCAT; 3,032 took the 1978-1991 version, and 3,099 took the post-1991 version. MCAT subtest scores were the predictors, and performance in medical school, attrition, scores on the medical licensing examinations, and ratings of clinical competence in the first year of residency were the criterion measures. No significant improvement in validity coefficients was observed for performance in medical school or residency. Validity coefficients for all three versions of the MCAT in predicting Part I/Step 1 remained stable (in the mid-0.40s, P < .01). A systematic decline was observed in the validity coefficients of the MCAT versions in predicting Part II/Step 2. It started at 0.47 for the pre-1978 version, decreased to between 0.42 and 0.40 for the 1978-1991 versions, and to 0.37 for the post-1991 version. Validity coefficients for the MCAT versions in predicting Part III/Step 3 remained near 0.30. These were generally larger for women than men. Although the findings support the short- and long-term predictive validity of the MCAT, opportunities to strengthen it remain. Subsequent revisions should increase the test's ability to predict performance on United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 and must minimize the differential validity for gender.

Characterizing the Survey Strategy and Initial Orbit Determination Abilities of the NASA MCAT Telescope for Geosynchronous Orbital Debris Environmental Studies

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frith, James; Barker, Ed; Cowardin, Heather; Buckalew, Brent; Anz-Meado, Phillip; Lederer, Susan

2017-01-01

The NASA Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) recently commissioned the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension Island with the primary goal of obtaining population statistics of the geosynchronous (GEO) orbital debris environment. To help facilitate this, studies have been conducted using MCAT's known and projected capabilities to estimate the accuracy and timeliness in which it can survey the GEO environment. A simulated GEO debris population is created and sampled at various cadences and run through the Constrained Admissible Region Multi Hypotheses Filter (CAR-MHF). The orbits computed from the results are then compared to the simulated data to assess MCAT's ability to determine accurately the orbits of debris at various sample rates. Additionally, estimates of the rate at which MCAT will be able produce a complete GEO survey are presented using collected weather data and the proposed observation data collection cadence. The specific methods and results are presented here.

Should efforts in favor of medical student diversity be focused during admissions or farther upstream?

PubMed

Reiter, Harold I; Lockyer, Jocelyn; Ziola, Barry; Courneya, Carol-Ann; Eva, Kevin

2012-04-01

Traditional medical school admissions assessment tools may be limiting diversity. This study investigates whether the Multiple Mini-Interview (MMI) is diversity-neutral and, if so, whether applying it with greater weight would dilute the anticipated negative impact of diversity-limiting admissions measures. Interviewed applicants to six medical schools in 2008 and 2009 underwent MMI. Predictor variables of MMI scores, grade point average (GPA), and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores were correlated with diversity measures of age, gender, size of community of origin, income level, and self-declared aboriginal status. A subset of the data was then combined with variable weight assigned to predictor variables to determine whether weighting during the applicant selection process would affect diversity among chosen applicants. MMI scores were unrelated to gender, size of community of origin, and income level. They correlated positively with age and negatively with aboriginal status. GPA and MCAT correlated negatively with age and aboriginal status, GPA correlated positively with income level, and MCAT correlated positively with size of community of origin. Even extreme combinations of MMI and GPA weightings failed to increase diversity among applicants who would be selected on the basis of weighted criteria. MMI could not neutralize the diversity-limiting properties of academic scores as selection criteria to interview. Using academic scores in this way causes range restriction, counteracting attempts to enhance diversity using downstream admissions selection measures such as MMI. Diversity efforts should instead be focused upstream. These results lend further support for the development of pipeline programs.

49 CFR Appendix D to Part 213 - Minimally Compliant Analytical Track (MCAT) Simulations Used for Qualifying Vehicles To Operate...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... key responses observed during qualification testing. (b) MCAT layout. MCAT consists of nine segments, each designed to test a vehicle's performance in response to a specific type of track perturbation. The basic layout of MCAT is shown in figure 1 of this appendix, by type of track (curving or tangent), class...

49 CFR Appendix D to Part 213 - Minimally Compliant Analytical Track (MCAT) Simulations Used for Qualifying Vehicles To Operate...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... key responses observed during qualification testing. (b) MCAT layout. MCAT consists of nine segments, each designed to test a vehicle's performance in response to a specific type of track perturbation. The basic layout of MCAT is shown in figure 1 of this appendix, by type of track (curving or tangent), class...

Microcomputer aided tracking (MCAT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mays, A. B.; Cross, D. C.; Walters, J. L.

1983-07-01

The goal of the MCAT project was to investigate the effectiveness of operator initiated tracks followed by automatic tracking. Adding this capability to a display was intended to relieve operator overload and fatigue which results when the operator is limited to grease pencil tracking. MCAT combines several microprocessors and a microcomputer-driven PPI(Plan Position Indications) with graphics capability. The operator is required to make the initial detection and MCAT then performs automatic detection and tracking in a limited area centered around the detection. This approach was chosen because it is far less costly than a full-up auto detect and track approach. MCAT is intended for use in a non-NTDS (Naval Tactical Data System) environment where operator aids are minimal at best. There are approximately 200 non-NTDS ships in today's Navy. Each of these ships has a combat information center (CIC) which includes numerous PPIs typically SPA-25s, SPA-66s, SPA-50s) and various manual means (e.g., air summary plotboards, NC-2 plotters) of producing summary plots and performing calculations (e.g., maneuvering board paper) pertinent to tracks in progress. The operator's duties are time-consuming and there are many things that could be done via computer control and graphics displays that the non-NTDS operate must now do manually. Because there is much manual information handling, accumulation of data is slow and there is a large probability of error.

Predicting Admission of Minorities into Medical School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lynch, Kathleen Bodisch; Woode, Moses K.

A study identifying the relationships between quantitative academic characteristics--specifically, grade point average (GPA) and MCAT scores--and admission into medical school for minorities is presented. Explanations are proposed for contradictory findings related to this question that have appeared in literature. Data from 58 minority student…

cDNA cloning of Brassica napus malonyl-CoA:ACP transacylase (MCAT) (fab D) and complementation of an E. coli MCAT mutant.

PubMed

Simon, J W; Slabas, A R

1998-09-18

The GenBank database was searched using the E. coli malonyl CoA:ACP transacylase (MCAT) sequence, for plant protein/cDNA sequences corresponding to MCAT, a component of plant fatty acid synthetase (FAS), for which the plant cDNA has not been isolated. A 272-bp Zea mays EST sequence (GenBank accession number: AA030706) was identified which has strong homology to the E. coli MCAT. A PCR derived cDNA probe from Zea mays was used to screen a Brassica napus (rape) cDNA library. This resulted in the isolation of a 1200-bp cDNA clone which encodes an open reading frame corresponding to a protein of 351 amino acids. The protein shows 47% homology to the E. coli MCAT amino acid sequence in the coding region for the mature protein. Expression of a plasmid (pMCATrap2) containing the plant cDNA sequence in Fab D89, an E. coli mutant, in MCAT activity restores growth demonstrating functional complementation and direct function of the cloned cDNA. This is the first functional evidence supporting the identification of a plant cDNA for MCAT.

The crystal structure of MCAT from Mycobacterium tuberculosis reveals three new catalytic models.

PubMed

Li, Zexuan; Huang, Yishu; Ge, Jing; Fan, Hang; Zhou, Xiaohong; Li, Shentao; Bartlam, Mark; Wang, Honghai; Rao, Zihe

2007-08-24

The malonyl coenzyme A (CoA)-acyl carrier protein (ACP) transacylase (MCAT) plays a key role in cell wall biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other bacteria. The M. tuberculosis MCAT (MtMCAT) is encoded by the FabD gene and catalyzes the transacylation of malonate from malonyl-CoA to holo-ACP. Malonyl-ACP is the substrate in fatty acid biosynthesis and is a by-product of the transacylation reaction. This ability for fatty acid biosynthesis enables M. tuberculosis to survive in hostile environments, and thus understanding the mechanism of biosynthesis is important for the design of new anti-tuberculosis drugs. The 2.3 A crystal structure of MtMCAT reported here shows that its catalytic mechanism differs from those of ScMCAT and EcMCAT, whose structures have previously been determined. In MtMCAT, the C(beta)-O(gamma) bond of Ser91 turns upwards, resulting in a different orientation and thus an overall change of the active pocket compared to other known MCAT enzymes. We identify three new nucleophilic attack chains from the MtMCAT structure: His90-Ser91, Asn155-Wat6-Ser91 and Asn155-His90-Ser91. Enzyme activity assays show that His90A, Asn155A and His90A-Asn155A mutants all have substantially reduced MCAT activity, indicating that M. tuberculosis MCAT supports a unique means of proton transfer. Furthermore, His194 cannot form part of a His-Ser catalytic dyad and only stabilizes the substrate. This new discovery should provide a deeper insight into the catalytic mechanisms of MCATs.

The predictive validity of the MCAT for medical school performance and medical board licensing examinations: a meta-analysis of the published research.

PubMed

Donnon, Tyrone; Paolucci, Elizabeth Oddone; Violato, Claudio

2007-01-01

To conduct a meta-analysis of published studies to determine the predictive validity of the MCAT on medical school performance and medical board licensing examinations. The authors included all peer-reviewed published studies reporting empirical data on the relationship between MCAT scores and medical school performance or medical board licensing exam measures. Moderator variables, participant characteristics, and medical school performance/medical board licensing exam measures were extracted and reviewed separately by three reviewers using a standardized protocol. Medical school performance measures from 11 studies and medical board licensing examinations from 18 studies, for a total of 23 studies, were selected. A random-effects model meta-analysis of weighted effects sizes (r) resulted in (1) a predictive validity coefficient for the MCAT in the preclinical years of r = 0.39 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.21-0.54) and on the USMLE Step 1 of r = 0.60 (95% CI, 0.50-0.67); and (2) the biological sciences subtest as the best predictor of medical school performance in the preclinical years (r = 0.32 95% CI, 0.21-0.42) and on the USMLE Step 1 (r = 0.48 95% CI, 0.41-0.54). The predictive validity of the MCAT ranges from small to medium for both medical school performance and medical board licensing exam measures. The medical profession is challenged to develop screening and selection criteria with improved validity that can supplement the MCAT as an important criterion for admission to medical schools.

Role for malonyl coenzyme A:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) in the growth-inhibitory effect of the calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine in Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

PubMed

Sinha, Indrajit; Dick, Thomas

2004-06-01

To determine whether the fatty acid synthesis enzyme malonyl coenzyme A:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) is involved in the growth-inhibitory effect of trifluoperazine in the tubercle bacillus Mycobacterium bovis BCG. BCG was grown in liquid culture with various concentrations of trifluoperazine and growth was monitored by OD measurement. To determine the effect of trifluoperazine on MCAT protein level, total protein was extracted from BCG cultures and was analysed by 2D gel electrophoresis and western blot. To confirm trifluoperazine-dependent reduction in the MCAT protein level, two BCG strains overexpressing MCAT at a low and high constitutive level were similarly tested. The synergic effect of trifluoperazine and isoniazid was tested at sub-MIC levels in liquid cultures. Trifluoperazine inhibition of growth correlates with reduction in the steady-state level of MCAT protein. Overexpression of MCAT confers resistance to trifluoperazine. Trifluoperazine acts synergically (albeit weakly) with isoniazid and no resistance towards isoniazid alone was observed due to overexpression of MCAT. This suggests MCAT to be a specific target of trifluoperazine. These results indicate MCAT as a target of trifluoperazine and provide an explanation for the inhibitory effect of trifluoperazine on mycobacterial lipid synthesis observed earlier. This makes MCAT a potential target for new antimycobacterials.

Development of the NASA MCAT Auxiliary Telescope for Orbital Debris Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frith, James; Lederer, Sue; Cowardin, Heather; Buckalew, Brent; Hickson, Paul; Anz-Meador, Phillip

2016-01-01

The National Aeronautical Space Administration has deployed the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) to Ascension Island with plans for it to become fully operational by summer 2016. This telescope will be providing data in support of research being conducted by the Orbital Debris Program Office at the Johnson Space Center. In addition to the main observatory, a smaller, auxiliary telescope is being deployed to the same location to augment and support observations generated by MCAT. It will provide near-simultaneous photometry and astrometry of debris objects, independent measurements of the seeing conditions, and offload low priority targets from MCAT's observing queue. Its hardware and software designs are presented here The National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) has recently deployed the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) to Ascension Island. MCAT will provide NASA with a dedicated optical sensor for observations of orbital debris with the goal of statistically sampling the orbital and photometric characteristics of the population from low Earth to Geosynchronous orbits. Additionally, a small auxiliary telescope, co-located with MCAT, is being deployed to augment its observations by providing near-simultaneous photometry and astrometry, as well as offloading low priority targets from MCAT's observing queue. It will also serve to provide an independent measurement of the seeing conditions to help monitor the quality of the data being produced by the larger telescope. Comprised of off-the-shelf-components, the MCAT Auxiliary Telescope will have a 16-inch optical tube assembly, Sloan g'r'i'z' and Johnson/Cousins BVRI filters, and a fast tracking mount to help facilitate the tracking of objects in low Earth orbit. Tracking modes and tasking will be similar to MCAT except an emphasis will be placed on observations that provide more accurate initial orbit determination for the objects detected by MCAT. The near-simultaneous observations will

NASA's Optical Program on Ascension Island: Bringing MCAT to Life as the Eugene Stansbery-Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (ES-MCAT)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lederer, S. M.; Hickson, P.; Cowardin, H. M.; Buckalew, B.; Frith, J.; Alliss, R.

In June 2015, the construction of the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope was completed and MCAT saw the light of the stars for the first time. In 2017, MCAT was newly dedicated as the Eugene Stansbery-MCAT telescope by NASA’s Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO), in honour of his inspiration and dedication to this newest optical member of the NASA ODPO. Since that time, MCAT has viewed the skies with one engineering camera and two scientific cameras, and the ODPO optical team has begun the process of vetting the entire system. The full system vetting includes verification and validation of: (1) the hardware comprising the system (e.g. the telescopes and its instruments, the dome, weather systems, all-sky camera, FLIR cloud infrared camera, etc.), (2) the custom-written Observatory Control System (OCS) master software designed to autonomously control this complex system of instruments, each with its own control software, and (3) the custom written Orbital Debris Processing software for post-processing the data. ES-MCAT is now capable of autonomous observing to include Geosyncronous survey, TLE (Two-line element) tracking of individual catalogued debris at all orbital regimes (Low-Earth Orbit all the way to Geosynchronous (GEO) orbit), tracking at specified non-sidereal rates, as well as sidereal rates for proper calibration with standard stars. Ultimately, the data will be used for validation of NASA’s Orbital Debris Engineering Model, ORDEM, which aids in engineering designs of spacecraft that require knowledge of the orbital debris environment and long-term risks for collisions with Resident Space Objects (RSOs).

NASA's Optical Program on Ascension Island: Bringing MCAT to Life as the Eugene Stansbery-Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (ES-MCAT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lederer, S. M.; Hickson, P.; Cowardin, H. M.; Buckalew, B.; Frith, J.; Alliss, R.

2017-01-01

In June 2015, the construction of the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope was completed and MCAT saw the light of the stars for the first time. In 2017, MCAT was newly dedicated as the Eugene Stansbery-MCAT telescope by NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO), in honor of his inspiration and dedication to this newest optical member of the NASA ODPO. Since that time, MCAT has viewed the skies with one engineering camera and two scientific cameras, and the ODPO optical team has begun the process of vetting the entire system. The full system vetting includes verification and validation of: (1) the hardware comprising the system (e.g. the telescopes and its instruments, the dome, weather systems, all-sky camera, FLIR cloud infrared camera, etc.), (2) the custom-written Observatory Control System (OCS) master software designed to autonomously control this complex system of instruments, each with its own control software, and (3) the custom written Orbital Debris Processing software for post-processing the data. ES-MCAT is now capable of autonomous observing to include Geosynchronous survey, TLE (Two-line element) tracking of individual catalogued debris at all orbital regimes (Low-Earth Orbit all the way to Geosynchronous (GEO) orbit), tracking at specified non-sidereal rates, as well as sidereal rates for proper calibration with standard stars. Ultimately, the data will be used for validation of NASA's Orbital Debris Engineering Model, ORDEM, which aids in engineering designs of spacecraft that require knowledge of the orbital debris environment and long-term risks for collisions with Resident Space Objects (RSOs).

Development of the NASA MCAT Auxiliary Telescope for Orbital Debris Research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Frith, James; Lederer, Susan; Cowardin, Heather; Buckalew, Brent; Hickson, Paul; Anz-Meador, Phillip

2016-01-01

The National Aeronautical and Space Administration (NASA) has recently deployed the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) to Ascension Island. MCAT will provide NASA with a dedicated optical sensor for observations of orbital debris with the goal of statistically sampling the orbital and photometric characteristics of the population from low Earth to Geosynchronous orbits. Additionally, a small auxiliary telescope, co-located with MCAT, is being deployed to augment its observations by providing near-simultaneous photometry and astrometry, as well as offloading low priority targets from MCAT's observing queue. It will also be available to provide observational measurements to the Space Surveillance Network for the United States Air Force.

A Study of Cognitive Achievement in a Special Premedical Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Agbor-Baiyee, William

2009-01-01

Purpose: In common with most standardized admissions tests, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores disproportionately screen out applicants from disadvantaged and underrepresented minority groups, relative to their demographic importance. The impact of programs to prepare students for the MCAT has not been adequately addressed. The…

The Relationship of Test Anxiety to Serum Beta-endorphin.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Molinaro, Jane Anne

This study attempted to determine if test anxiety is manifested in pre-medical students as a result of the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and if Beta-endorphin similarly responds to that type of situational stress. Seventeen participants completed the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI) by Spielberger et al. (1980) and donated 30 ml of blood for…

Integrating Concepts in Biology Textbook Increases Learning: Assessment Triangulation Using Concept Inventory, Card Sorting, and MCAT Instruments, Followed by Longitudinal Tracking

PubMed Central

Luckie, Douglas B.; Hoskinson, Anne-Marie; Griffin, Caleigh E.; Hess, Andrea L.; Price, Katrina J.; Tawa, Alex; Thacker, Samantha M.

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the educational impact of an intervention, the inquiry-focused textbook Integrating Concepts in Biology (ICB), when used in a yearlong introductory biology course sequence. Student learning was evaluated using three published instruments: 1) The Biology Concept Inventory probed depth of student mastery of fundamental concepts in organismal and cellular topics when confronting misconceptions as distractors. ICB students had higher gains in all six topic categories (+43% vs. peers overall, p < 0.01). 2) The Biology Card Sorting Task assessed whether students organized biological ideas more superficially, as novices do, or based on deeper concepts, like experts. The frequency with which ICB students connected deep-concept pairs, or triplets, was similar to peers; but deep understanding of structure/function was much higher (for pairs: 77% vs. 25%, p < 0.01). 3) A content-focused Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) posttest compared ICB student content knowledge with that of peers from 15 prior years. Historically, MCAT performance for each semester ranged from 53% to 64%; the ICB cohort scored 62%, in the top quintile. Longitudinal tracking in five upper-level science courses the following year found ICB students outperformed peers in physiology (85% vs. 80%, p < 0.01). PMID:28389429

Functional characterizations of malonyl-CoA:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) in Eimeria tenella.

PubMed

Sun, Mingfei; Zhu, Guan; Qin, Zonghua; Wu, Caiyan; Lv, Minna; Liao, Shenquan; Qi, Nanshan; Xie, Mingquan; Cai, Jianping

2012-07-01

Eimeria tenella, an apicomplexan parasite in chickens, possesses an apicoplast and its associated metabolic pathways including the Type II fatty acid synthesis (FAS II). Malonyl-CoA:acyl-carry protein transacylase (MCAT) encoded by the fabD gene is one of the essential enzymes in the FAS II system. In the present study, the entire E. tenella MCAT gene (EtfabD) was cloned and sequenced. Immunolabeling located this protein in the apicoplast organelle in coccidial sporozoites. Functional replacement of the fabD gene with amber mutation of E. coli temperature-sensitive LA2-89 strain by E. tenella EtMCAT demonstrated that EcFabD and EtMCAT perform the same biochemical function. The recombinant EtMCAT protein was expressed and its general biochemical features were also determined. An alkaloid natural product corytuberine (CAS: 517-56-6) could specifically inhibit the EtMCAT activity (IC(50)=16.47μM), but the inhibition of parasite growth in vitro by corytuberine was very weak (the predicted MIC(50)=0.65mM). Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Relationship of admissions variables and college of osteopathic medicine variables to performance on COMLEX-USA level 3.

PubMed

Baker, Helen H; Shuman, Victoria L; Ridpath, Lance C; Pence, Lorenzo L; Fisk, Robert M; Boisvert, Craig S

2015-02-01

New accreditation standards require that all US colleges of osteopathic medicine (COMs) publically report the first-time pass rates of graduates on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 3. Little is known about the extent to which admissions variables or COM performance measures relate to Level 3 performance. To examine the relationship of admissions variables and COM performance to scores on Level 3 and to assess whether a relationship existed between Level 3 scores and sex, curriculum track, year of graduation, and residency specialty in the first postgraduate year. Data were analyzed from 4 graduating classes (2008-2011) of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine in Lewisburg. Relationships were examined between first-attempt scores on COMLEX-USA Level 3 and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores; undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs); GPAs in COM year 1, year 2, and clinical rotation years (years 3 and 4); and first-attempt scores on COMLEX-USA Level 1, Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation, and Level 2-Performance Evaluation. Of the 556 graduates during this 4-year period, COMLEX-USA Level 3 scores were available for 552 graduates (99.3%). No statistically significant differences were found in Level 3 scores based on sex, curriculum track, graduating class, or residency specialty. The strongest relationship between Level 3 scores and any admissions variable was with total MCAT score, which accounted for 4.2% of the variation in Level 3 scores. The strongest relationship between Level 3 scores and COM year performance measures was with year 2 GPA, which accounted for 35.4% of the variation in Level 3 scores. Level 1 scores accounted for 38.5% of the variation in Level 3 scores, and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation scores accounted for the greatest percentage of variation (45.7%). The correlation of Level 3 scores with passing the Level 2-Performance Evaluation on the first attempt was not statistically

Characterization and inhibitor discovery of one novel malonyl-CoA: acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) from Helicobacter pylori.

PubMed

Liu, Weizhi; Han, Cong; Hu, Lihong; Chen, Kaixian; Shen, Xu; Jiang, Hualiang

2006-01-23

Type II fatty acid synthesis (FAS II) is an essential process for bacteria survival, and malonyl-CoA:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) is a key enzyme in FAS II pathway, which is responsible for transferring the malonyl group from malonyl-CoA to the holo-ACP by forming malonyl-ACP. In this work, we described the cloning, characterization and enzymatic inhibition of a new MCAT from Helicobacter pylori strain SS1 (HpMCAT), and the gene sequence of HpfabD was deposited in the GenBank database (Accession No. AY738332 ). Enzymatic characterization of HpMCAT showed that the K(m) value for malonyl-CoA was 21.01+/-2.3 microM, and the thermal- and guanidinium hydrochloride-induced unfolding processes for HpMCAT were quantitatively investigated by circular dichroism spectral analyses. Moreover, a natural product, corytuberine, was discovered to demonstrate inhibitory activity against HpMCAT with IC(50) value at 33.1+/-3.29 microM. Further enzymatic assay results indicated that corytuberine inhibits HpMCAT in an uncompetitive manner. To our knowledge, this is the firstly reported MCAT inhibitor to date. This current work is hoped to supply useful information for better understanding the MCAT features of H. pylori strain, and corytuberine might be used as a potential lead compound in the discovery of the antibacterial agents using HpMCAT as target.

MCAT elements and the TEF-1 family of transcription factors in muscle development and disease.

PubMed

Yoshida, Tadashi

2008-01-01

MCAT elements are located in the promoter-enhancer regions of cardiac, smooth, and skeletal muscle-specific genes including cardiac troponin T, beta-myosin heavy chain, smooth muscle alpha-actin, and skeletal alpha-actin, and play a key role in the regulation of these genes during muscle development and disease. The binding factors of MCAT elements are members of the transcriptional enhancer factor-1 (TEF-1) family. However, it has not been fully understood how these transcription factors confer cell-specific expression in muscle, because their expression patterns are relatively broad. Results of recent studies revealed multiple mechanisms whereby TEF-1 family members control MCAT element-dependent muscle-specific gene expression, including posttranslational modifications of TEF-1 family members, the presence of muscle-selective TEF-1 cofactors, and cell-selective control of TEF-1 accessibility to MCAT elements. In addition, of particular interest, recent studies regarding MCAT element-dependent transcription of the myocardin gene and the smooth muscle alpha-actin gene in muscle provide evidence for the transcriptional diversity among distinct cell types and subtypes. This article summarizes the role of MCAT elements and the TEF-1 family of transcription factors in muscle development and disease, and reviews recent progress in our understanding of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms involved in MCAT element-dependent muscle-specific gene expression.

34 CFR 600.55 - Additional criteria for determining whether a foreign graduate medical school is eligible to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

..., nationals, or permanent residents to have taken the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and to have... Secretary, the scores on the MCAT or successor examination, of all students admitted during the preceding...

34 CFR 600.55 - Additional criteria for determining whether a foreign graduate medical school is eligible to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

..., nationals, or permanent residents to have taken the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and to have... Secretary, the scores on the MCAT or successor examination, of all students admitted during the preceding...

34 CFR 600.55 - Additional criteria for determining whether a foreign graduate medical school is eligible to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

..., nationals, or permanent residents to have taken the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and to have... Secretary, the scores on the MCAT or successor examination, of all students admitted during the preceding...

A Longitudinal Study of Commonly Used Admissions Measures and Disenrollment from Medical School and Graduate Medical Education Probation or Termination from Training.

PubMed

Dong, Ting; Gilliland, William R; Cruess, David; Hutchinson, Jeffrey; Morres, Lisa; Curtis, Jerri; Hewitt-Clarke, Gail-Selina; Durning, Steven J

2018-04-27

This is an empirical study to better understand commonly used medical school admission measures and disenrollment decisions during undergraduate medical education as well as graduate medical education (GME) probation or termination decisions. Based on the data of USUHS medical students matriculating between 1998 and 2011 (N = 2,460), we compared medical school graduates and those disenrolled from medical school on MCAT scores, undergraduate BCPM (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math) GPA, and undergraduate overall GPA. We also reported more specific reasons for disenrollment decisions. Next, we compared the students who were referred to the student promotion committee (SPC) with other students on these measures. Moving onto GME, we compared trainees who were put on probation or terminated from training with those who were not on MCAT and undergraduate GPA measures. In addition, we examined the association between being referred to the SPC and GME probation or termination. There were 2,347 graduates and 113 disenrolled students from medical school (4.8%). For the disenrolled students, 43 (38.7%) students were disenrolled for exclusively (or primarily) non-academic reasons, and 68 (61.3%) were disenrolled for exclusively (or primarily) academic reasons. The t-tests showed statistically significant differences on the MCAT score of the first attempt (t(2,449) = 7.22, P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.70), average MCAT score (t(2,449) = 4.22, P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.41), and highest MCAT score (t(2,449) = 3.51, P < 0.01, Cohen's d = 0.34). Logistic regression model selection also revealed that the best predictor for disenrollment was the first MCAT score (exp(b) = 0.83, 95% CI = (0.78, 0.88)). No significant differences on these measures were found from the group comparisons on SPC and GME probation or termination. There was no significant association between SPC appearance and GME probation or termination. Academic difficulties, especially in the basic sciences, appear to be the

Deploying the NASA Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension Island

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lederer, S. M.; Pace, L.; Hickson, P.; Cowardin, H. M.; Frith, J.; Buckalew, B.; Glesne, T.; Maeda, R.; Douglas, D.; Nishimoto, D.

2015-01-01

NASA has successfully constructed the 1.3m Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) facility on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. MCAT is an optical telescope designed specifically to collect ground-based data for the statistical characterization of orbital debris ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through Middle Earth Orbits (MEO) and beyond to Geo Transfer and Geosynchronous Orbits (GTO/GEO). The location of Ascension Island has two distinct advantages. First, the near-equatorial location fills a significant longitudinal gap in the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) network of telescopes, and second, it allows access to objects in Low Inclination Low-Earth Orbits (LILO). The MCAT facility will be controlled by a sophisticated software suite that operates the dome and telescope, assesses sky and weather conditions, conducts all necessary calibrations, defines an observing strategy (as dictated by weather, sky conditions and the observing plan for the night), and carries out the observations. It then reduces the collected data via four primary observing modes ranging from tracking previously cataloged objects to conducting general surveys for detecting uncorrelated debris. Nightly observing plans, as well as the resulting text file of reduced data, will be transferred to and from Ascension, respectively, via a satellite connection. Post-processing occurs at NASA Johnson Space Center. Construction began in September, 2014 with dome and telescope installation occurring in April through early June, 2015. First light was achieved in June, 2015. Acceptance testing, full commissioning, and calibration of this soon-to-be fully autonomous system commenced in summer 2015. The initial characterization of the system from these tests is presented herein.

Deploying the NASA Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension Island

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lederer, S.; Pace, L. F.; Hickson, P.; Glesne, T.; Cowardin, H. M.; Frith, J. M.; Buckalew, B.; Maeda, R.; Douglas, D.; Nishimoto, D.

NASA has successfully constructed the 1.3m Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) facility on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean. MCAT is an optical telescope designed specifically to collect ground-based data for the statistical characterization of orbital debris ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) through Middle Earth Orbits (MEO) and beyond to Geo Transfer and Geosynchronous Orbits (GTO/GEO). The location of Ascension Island has two distinct advantages. First, the near-equatorial location fills a significant longitudinal gap in the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) network of telescopes, and second, it allows access to objects in Low Inclination Low-Earth Orbits (LILO). The MCAT facility will be controlled by a sophisticated software suite that operates the dome and telescope, assesses sky and weather conditions, conducts all necessary calibrations, defines an observing strategy (as dictated by weather, sky conditions, and the observing plan for the night), and carries out the observations. It then reduces the collected data via four primary observing modes ranging from tracking previously cataloged objects to conducting general surveys for detecting uncorrelated debris. Nightly observing plans, as well as the resulting text file of reduced data, will be transferred to and from Ascension, respectively, via a satellite connection. Post-processing occurs at NASA Johnson Space Center. Construction began in September, 2014 with dome and telescope installation occurring in April through early June, 2015. First light was achieved in June, 2015. Acceptance testing, full commissioning, and calibration of this soon-to-be fully autonomous system commenced in summer 2015. The initial characterization of the system from these tests is presented herein.

34 CFR 600.55 - Additional criteria for determining whether a foreign graduate medical school is eligible to...

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Admission Test (MCAT) and to have reported their scores to the foreign graduate medical school; and (2) A..., on request, to the Secretary, the scores on the MCAT or successor examination, of all students...

A Comparison of the Predictive Validity of the MCAT for Coached and Uncoached Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Robert F.

1986-01-01

A study that addressed the question of whether coaching for the MCAT biases the relationship between test performance and medical school performance is described. The criterion used was whether or not a student experienced academic problems in medical school. (MLW)

Cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of MCAT from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

PubMed

Liu, Yinghui; Zhang, Yanming; Cao, Xupeng; Xue, Song

2013-11-01

Malonyl-coenzymeA:acyl-carrier protein transacylase (MCAT), which catalyzes the transfer of the malonyl group from malonyl-CoA to acyl-carrier protein (ACP), is an essential enzyme in type II fatty-acid synthesis. The enzyme MCAT from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 (spMCAT), the first MCAT counterpart from a cyanobacterium, was cloned, purified and crystallized in order to determine its three-dimensional crystal structure. A higher-quality crystal with better diffraction was obtained by crystallization optimization. The crystal diffracted to 1.8 Å resolution and belonged to the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a = 43.22, b = 149.21, c = 40.59 Å. Matthews coefficient calculations indicated that the crystal contained one spMCAT molecule in the asymmetric unit with a Matthews coefficient of 2.18 Å(3) Da(-1) and a solvent content of 43.65%.

Cloning, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analysis of MCAT from Staphylococcus aureus.

PubMed

Hong, Seung Kon; Kim, Kook Han; Kim, Eunice EunKyeong

2010-01-01

Malonyl-CoA:acyl-carrier protein transacylase (MCAT), encoded by the fabd gene, is a key enzyme in type II fatty-acid biosynthesis. It is responsible for transferring the malonyl group from malonyl-CoA to the holo acyl-carrier protein (ACP). Since the type II system differs from the type I system that mammals use, it has received enormous attention as a possible antibiotic target. In particular, only a single isoform of MCAT has been reported and a continuous coupled enzyme assay has been developed. MCAT from Staphylococcus aureus was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and the protein was purified and crystallized. Diffraction data were collected to 1.2 A resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 41.608, b = 86.717, c = 43.163 A, alpha = gamma = 90, beta = 106.330 degrees . The asymmetric unit contains one SaMCAT molecule.

Lexical Profiles of Thailand University Admission Tests

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cherngchawano, Wirun; Jaturapitakkul, Natjiree

2014-01-01

University Admission Tests in Thailand are important documents which reflect Thailand's education system. To study at a higher education level, all students generally need to take the University Admission Tests designed by the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS). For the English test, vocabulary and reading comprehension is…

MCAT is not required for in vitro polyketide synthesis in a minimal actinorhodin polyketide synthase from Streptomyces coelicolor.

PubMed

Matharu, A L; Cox, R J; Crosby, J; Byrom, K J; Simpson, T J

1998-12-01

It has been proposed that Streptomyces malonyl CoA: holo acyl carrier protein transacylases (MCATs) provide a link between fatty acid and polyketide biosynthesis. Two recent studies have provided evidence that the presence of MCAT is essential for polyketide synthesis to proceed in reconstituted minimal polyketide synthases (PKSs). In contrast to this, we previously showed that the holo acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) from type II PKSs are capable of catalytic self-malonylation in the presence of malonyl CoA, which suggests that MCAT might not be necessary for polyketide biosynthesis. We reconstituted a homologous actinorhodin (act) type II minimal PKS in vitro. When act holo-ACP is present in limiting concentrations, MCAT is required by the synthase complex in order for polyketide biosynthesis to proceed. When holo-ACP is present in excess, however, efficient polyketide synthesis proceeds without MCAT. The rate of polyketide production increases with holo-ACP concentration, but at low ACP concentration or equimolar AC:KS:CLF (KS, ketosynthase; CLF, chain length determining factor) concentrations this rate is significantly lower than expected, indicating that free holo-ACP is sequestered by the KS/CLF complex. The rate of polyketide biosynthesis is dictated by the ratio of holo-ACP to KS and CLF, as well as by the total protein concentration. There is no absolute requirement for MCAT in polyketide biosynthesis in vitro, although the role of MCAT during polyketide synthesis in vivo remains an open question. MCAT might be responsible for the rate enhancement of malonyl transfer at very low free holo-ACP concentrations or it could be required to catalyse the transfer of malonyl groups from malonyl CoA to sequestered holo-ACP.

Two MCAT elements of the SM alpha-actin promoter function differentially in SM vs. non-SM cells.

PubMed

Swartz, E A; Johnson, A D; Owens, G K

1998-08-01

Transcriptional activity of the smooth muscle (SM) alpha-actin gene is differentially regulated in SM vs. non-SM cells. Contained within the rat SM alpha-actin promoter are two MCAT motifs, binding sites for transcription enhancer factor 1 (TEF-1) transcriptional factors implicated in the regulation of many muscle-specific genes. Transfections of SM alpha-actin promoter-CAT constructs containing wild-type or mutagenized MCAT elements were performed to evaluate their functional significance. Mutation of the MCAT elements resulted in increased transcriptional activity in SM cells, whereas these mutations either had no effect or decreased activity in L6 myotubes or endothelial cells. High-resolution gel shift assays resolved several complexes of different mobilities that were formed between MCAT oligonucleotides and nuclear extracts from the different cell types, although no single band was unique to SM. Western blot analysis of nuclear extracts with polyclonal antibodies to conserved domains of the TEF-1 gene family revealed multiple reactive bands, some that were similar and others that differed between SM and non-SM. Supershift assays with a polyclonal antibody to the TEF-related protein family demonstrated that TEF-1 or TEF-1-related proteins were contained in the shifted complexes. Results suggest that the MCAT elements may contribute to cell type-specific regulation of the SM alpha-actin gene. However, it remains to be determined whether the differential transcriptional activity of MCAT elements in SM vs. non-SM is due to differences in expression of TEF-1 or TEF-1-related proteins or to unique (cell type specific) combinatorial interactions of the MCAT elements with other cis-elements and trans-factors.

History of Not Completing Courses as Predictor of Academic Difficulty among First-Year Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jackson, Evelyn W.; Dawson-Saunders, Beth

1987-01-01

A study found that variables significant in predicting minority students with academic difficulty include science grade-point average, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) reading subtest score, and number of course withdrawals. For majority students, they include MCAT biology subtest score and number of incompletes taken in courses. (MSE)

A Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Short-Form Quality of Life Questionnaire Developed and Validated for Multiple Sclerosis: The MusiQoL-MCAT.

PubMed

Michel, Pierre; Baumstarck, Karine; Ghattas, Badih; Pelletier, Jean; Loundou, Anderson; Boucekine, Mohamed; Auquier, Pascal; Boyer, Laurent

2016-04-01

The aim was to develop a multidimensional computerized adaptive short-form questionnaire, the MusiQoL-MCAT, from a fixed-length QoL questionnaire for multiple sclerosis.A total of 1992 patients were enrolled in this international cross-sectional study. The development of the MusiQoL-MCAT was based on the assessment of between-items MIRT model fit followed by real-data simulations. The MCAT algorithm was based on Bayesian maximum a posteriori estimation of latent traits and Kullback-Leibler information item selection. We examined several simulations based on a fixed number of items. Accuracy was assessed using correlations (r) between initial IRT scores and MCAT scores. Precision was assessed using the standard error measurement (SEM) and the root mean square error (RMSE).The multidimensional graded response model was used to estimate item parameters and IRT scores. Among the MCAT simulations, the 16-item version of the MusiQoL-MCAT was selected because the accuracy and precision became stable with 16 items with satisfactory levels (r ≥ 0.9, SEM ≤ 0.55, and RMSE ≤ 0.3). External validity of the MusiQoL-MCAT was satisfactory.The MusiQoL-MCAT presents satisfactory properties and can individually tailor QoL assessment to each patient, making it less burdensome to patients and better adapted for use in clinical practice.

Test Takers' Attitudes and Beliefs about the Graduate Management Admission Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Stricker, Lawrence J.; Wilder, Gita Z.; Bridgeman, Brent

2006-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess test takers' attitudes and beliefs about an admissions test used extensively in graduate schools of business in the United States, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), and the relationships of these attitudes and beliefs to test performance. A set of attitude and belief items was administered by…

Admissions Testing & Institutional Admissions Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hossler, Don; Kalsbeek, David

2009-01-01

The array of admissions models and the underlying, and sometimes conflicting goals people have for college admissions, create the dynamics and the tensions that define the contemporary context for enrollment management. The senior enrollment officer must ask, for example, how does an institution try to assure transparency, equality of access,…

Multiplex Controller Aptitude Test and Occupational Knowledge Test: Selection Tools for Air Traffic Controllers.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-12-15

for 6o7e (B), which became slightly more platykurtic . Thus, there appeared to be a learning effect transferred from MCAT1 to MCAT2 resulting in higher... platykurtic ) except for positive 0.27 for OKT 102E. There was a more uniform distilbution of scores for the OKT than for the MCAT tests. The test scoies

Integrating Concepts in Biology Textbook Increases Learning: Assessment Triangulation Using Concept Inventory, Card Sorting, and MCAT Instruments, Followed by Longitudinal Tracking.

PubMed

Luckie, Douglas B; Hoskinson, Anne-Marie; Griffin, Caleigh E; Hess, Andrea L; Price, Katrina J; Tawa, Alex; Thacker, Samantha M

2017-01-01

The purpose of this study was to examine the educational impact of an intervention, the inquiry-focused textbook Integrating Concepts in Biology ( ICB ), when used in a yearlong introductory biology course sequence. Student learning was evaluated using three published instruments: 1) The Biology Concept Inventory probed depth of student mastery of fundamental concepts in organismal and cellular topics when confronting misconceptions as distractors. ICB students had higher gains in all six topic categories (+43% vs. peers overall, p < 0.01). 2) The Biology Card Sorting Task assessed whether students organized biological ideas more superficially, as novices do, or based on deeper concepts, like experts. The frequency with which ICB students connected deep-concept pairs, or triplets, was similar to peers; but deep understanding of structure/function was much higher (for pairs: 77% vs. 25%, p < 0.01). 3) A content-focused Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) posttest compared ICB student content knowledge with that of peers from 15 prior years. Historically, MCAT performance for each semester ranged from 53% to 64%; the ICB cohort scored 62%, in the top quintile. Longitudinal tracking in five upper-level science courses the following year found ICB students outperformed peers in physiology (85% vs. 80%, p < 0.01). © 2017 D. B. Luckie et al. CBE—Life Sciences Education © 2017 The American Society for Cell Biology. This article is distributed by The American Society for Cell Biology under license from the author(s). It is available to the public under an Attribution–Noncommercial–Share Alike 3.0 Unported Creative Commons License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0).

College Admissions: Beyond Conventional Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sternberg, Robert J.

2012-01-01

Standardized admissions tests such as the SAT (originally stood for "Scholastic Aptitude Test") and the ACT measure only a narrow segment of the skills needed to become an active citizen and possibly a leader who makes a positive, meaningful, and enduring difference to the world. The problem with these tests is that they promised, under…

Changes in the Qualifications of Medical School Applicants, 1981 to 1985.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Beran, Robert L.

1987-01-01

Changes were analyzed using both Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores and grade point average. Modest gains were shown: in the men and women applicants' scores on the MCAT biology, chemistry, physics, and science problems subtests; in all age categories except over 32; and for all ethnic or racial groups except blacks. (Author/LB)

Eliminating Standardized Tests in College Admissions: The New Affirmative Action?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zwick, Rebecca

1999-01-01

Eliminating the Scholastic Aptitude Test for college admissions might seem a form of covert affirmative action. Although it is possible to design a workable admissions policy that excludes standardized tests (as 15 percent of colleges have done), banishing admissions tests to further a social-policy goal indirectly is unsound policy. (Contains 25…

Assessing Practical Intelligence in Business School Admissions: A Supplement to the Graduate Management Admissions Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hedlund, Jennifer; Wilt, Jeanne M.; Nebel, Kristina L.; Ashford, Susan J.; Sternberg, Robert J.

2006-01-01

The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is the most widely used measure of managerial potential in MBA admissions. GMAT scores, although predictive of grades in business school, leave much of the variance in graduate school performance unexplained. The GMAT also produces disparities in test scores between groups, generating the potential for…

Beyond Standardized Tests: Admissions Alternatives That Work.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Allina, Amy; And Others

Seven schools that have re-evaluated their needs for standardized college admissions examinations were studied to explore their admissions and innovative testing policies. The schools include: (1) Bates College in Lewiston, Maine; (2) Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine; (3) Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration in Cambridge,…

Structural and biochemical characterization of MCAT from photosynthetic microorganism Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 reveal its stepwise catalytic mechanism.

PubMed

Liu, Yinghui; Feng, Yanbin; Wang, Yayue; Li, Xia; Cao, Xupeng; Xue, Song

2015-02-13

Malonyl-coenzyme A: acyl-carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) catalyzes the transfer of malonyl group from malonyl-CoA to the holo-acyl carrier protein (Holo-ACP), yielding malonyl-ACP. The overall reaction has been extensively studied in heterotrophic microorganisms, while its mechanism in photosynthetic autotrophs as well as the stepwise reaction information remains unclear. Here the 2.42 Å crystal structure of MCAT from photosynthetic microorganism Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is presented. It demonstrates that Arg113, Ser88 and His188 constitute catalytic triad. The second step involved ACP-MCAT-malonyl intermediate is speed-limited instead of the malonyl-CoA-MCAT intermediate in the first step. Therefore His87, Arg113 and Ser88 render different contributions for the two intermediates. Additionally, S88T mutant initializes the reaction by H87 deprotonating S88T which is different from the wild type. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Routine admission laboratory testing for general medical patients.

PubMed

Hubbell, F A; Frye, E B; Akin, B V; Rucker, L

1988-06-01

We evaluated the usefulness of commonly ordered routine admission laboratory tests in 301 patients admitted consecutively to the internal medicine wards of a university teaching hospital. Using a consensus analysis approach, three Department of Medicine faculty members reviewed the charts of admitted patients to determine the impact of the test results on patient care. The evaluated tests were the urinalysis, hematocrit, white blood cell count, platelet count, six-factor automated multiple analysis (serum sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate, glucose, and blood urea nitrogen), prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, chest x-ray, and electrocardiogram. Forty-five percent of the 3,684 tests were ordered for patients without recognizable medical indications. Twelve percent of these routine tests were abnormal, 5% led to additional laboratory testing, but only 0.5% led to change in the treatment of patients. We conclude that the impact of routine admission laboratory testing on patient care is very small and that there is little justification for ordering tests solely because of hospital admission.

Contrasting the effects of proton irradiation on dendritic complexity of subiculum neurons in wild type and MCAT mice.

PubMed

Chmielewski, Nicole N; Caressi, Chongshan; Giedzinski, Erich; Parihar, Vipan K; Limoli, Charles L

2016-06-01

Growing evidence suggests that radiation-induced oxidative stress directly affects a wide range of biological changes with an overall negative impact on CNS function. In the past we have demonstrated that transgenic mice over-expressing human catalase targeted to the mitochondria (MCAT) exhibit a range of neuroprotective phenotypes following irradiation that include improved neurogenesis, dendritic complexity, and cognition. To determine the extent of the neuroprotective phenotype afforded by MCAT expression in different hippocampal regions, we analyzed subiculum neurons for changes in neuronal structure and synaptic integrity after exposure to low dose (0.5 Gy) 150 MeV proton irradiation. One month following irradiation of WT and MCAT mice, a range of morphometric parameters were quantified along Golgi-Cox impregnated neurons. Compared with WT mice, subiculum neurons from MCAT mice exhibited increased trends (albeit not statistically significant) toward increased dendritic complexity in both control and irradiated cohorts. However, Sholl analysis of MCAT mice revealed significantly increased arborization of the distal dendritic tree, indicating a protective effect on secondary and tertiary branching. Interestingly, radiation-induced increases in postsynaptic density protein (PSD-95) puncta were not as pronounced in MCAT compared with WT mice, and were significantly lower after the 0.5 Gy dose. As past data has linked radiation exposure to reduced dendritic complexity, elevated PSD-95 and impaired cognition, reductions in mitochondrial oxidative stress have proven useful in ameliorating many of these radiation-induced sequelae. Data presented here shows similar trends, and again points to the potential benefits of reducing oxidative stress in the brain to attenuate radiation injury. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 57:364-371, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Orbital Debris Detection and Tracking Strategies for the NASA/AFRL Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mulrooney, M.; Hickson, P.; Stansbery, Eugene G.

2010-01-01

MCAT (Meter-Class Autonomous Telescope) is a 1.3m f/4 Ritchey-Chr tien on a double horseshoe equatorial mount that will be deployed in early 2011 to the western pacific island of Legan in the Kwajalein Atoll to perform orbital debris observations. MCAT will be capable of tracking earth orbital objects at all inclinations and at altitudes from 200 km to geosynchronous. MCAT s primary objective is the detection of new orbital debris in both low-inclination low-earth orbits (LEO) and at geosynchronous earth orbit (GEO). MCAT was thus designed with a fast focal ratio and a large unvignetted image circle able to accommodate a detector sized to yield a large field of view. The selected primary detector is a close-cycle cooled 4Kx4K 15um pixel CCD camera that yields a 0.9 degree diagonal field. For orbital debris detection in widely spaced angular rate regimes, the camera must offer low read-noise performance over a wide range of framing rates. MCAT s 4-port camera operates from 100 kHz to 1.5 MHz per port at 2 e- and 10 e- read noise respectively. This enables low-noise multi-second exposures for GEO observations as well as rapid (several frames per second) exposures for LEO. GEO observations will be performed using a counter-sidereal time delay integration (TDI) technique which NASA has used successfully in the past. For MCAT the GEO survey, detection, and follow-up prediction algorithms will be automated. These algorithms will be detailed herein. For LEO observations two methods will be employed. The first, Orbit Survey Mode (OSM), will scan specific orbital inclination and altitude regimes, detect new orbital debris objects against trailed background stars, and adjust the telescope track to follow the detected object. The second, Stare and Chase Mode (SCM), will perform a stare, then detect and track objects that enter the field of view which satisfy specific rate and brightness criteria. As with GEO, the LEO operational modes will be fully automated and will be

Joining the Conversation: Predictors of Success on the United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gohara, Sabry; Shapiro, Joseph I.; Jacob, Adam N.; Khuder, Sadik A.; Gandy, Robyn A.; Metting, Patricia J.; Gold, Jeffrey; Kleshinski, James; and James Kleshinski

2011-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether models based on pre-admission testing, including performance on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), performance on required courses in the medical school curriculum, or a combination of both could accurately predict performance of medical students on the United States Medical Licensing…

Apparent growth phase-dependent phosphorylation of malonyl coenzyme A:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT), a major fatty acid synthase II component in Mycobacterium bovis BCG.

PubMed

Sinha, Indrajit; Boon, Calvin; Dick, Thomas

2003-10-10

Probing protein extracts from exponentially growing and stationary phase cultures of Mycobacterium bovis BCG with anti-phospho amino acid antibodies revealed a 31-kDa anti-phospho threonine antibody-reactive protein specific to growing culture. The corresponding protein was purified via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and identified via mass spectrometry to be malonyl coenzyme A:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT), a component of the fatty acid biosynthetic pathway. MCAT tagged with histidine reacted with anti-phospho threonine antibody and was positive in an in-gel chemical assay for phospho proteins. Analysis of the growth phase dependence of MCAT-His phosphorylation and protein levels showed that phosphorylated MCAT-His can be detected only in growing culture. In contrast, MCAT-His protein level was growth phase-independent. These results suggest that MCAT may be a substrate of a protein kinase and phosphatase, and that aspects of fatty acid synthesis in tubercle bacilli are regulated by protein phosphorylation.

The Use of Tests in Admissions to Higher Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fruen, Mary

1978-01-01

There are both strengths and weaknesses of using standardized test scores as a criterion for admission to institutions of higher education. The relative importance of scores is dependent on the institution's degree of selectivity. In general, decision processes and admissions criteria are not well defined. Advantages of test scores include: use of…

Prediction of Osteopathic Medical School Performance on the basis of MCAT score, GPA, sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institution.

PubMed

Dixon, Donna

2012-04-01

The relationships of students' preadmission academic variables, sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institution to academic performance in medical school have not been thoroughly examined. To determine the ability of students' preadmission academic variables to predict osteopathic medical school performance and whether students' sex, undergraduate major, or undergraduate institution influence osteopathic medical school performance. The study followed students who graduated from New York College of Osteopathic Medicine of New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury between 2003 and 2006. Student preadmission data were Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, undergraduate grade point averages (GPAs), sex, undergraduate major, and undergraduate institutional selectivity. Medical school performance variables were GPAs, clinical performance (ie, clinical subject examinations and clerkship evaluations), and scores on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2-Clinical Evaluation (CE). Data were analyzed with Pearson product moment correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regression analyses. Differences between student groups were compared with the independent-samples, 2-tailed t test. A total of 737 students were included. All preadmission academic variables, except nonscience undergraduate GPA, were statistically significant predictors of performance on COMLEX-USA Level 1, and all preadmission academic variables were statistically significant predictors of performance on COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE. The MCAT score for biological sciences had the highest correlation among all variables with COMLEX-USA Level 1 performance (Pearson r=0.304; P<.001) and Level 2-CE performance (Pearson r=0.272; P<.001). All preadmission variables were moderately correlated with the mean clinical subject examination scores. The mean clerkship evaluation score was moderately correlated with mean clinical examination

Evaluation of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Coates, Hamish; Friedman, Tim

2010-01-01

This paper reports findings from the first national Australian study of the predictive validity of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Background on tertiary admissions procedures in Australia is presented, followed by information on STAT and the research methods. The results affirm that STAT, through the provision of baseline and…

The Predictive Validity of Using Admissions Testing and Multiple Mini-Interviews in Undergraduate University Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Makransky, Guido; Havmose, Philip; Vang, Maria Louison; Andersen, Tonny Elmose; Nielsen, Tine

2017-01-01

The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity of a two-step admissions procedure that included a cognitive ability test followed by multiple mini-interviews (MMIs) used to assess non-cognitive skills, compared to grade-based admissions relative to subsequent drop-out rates and academic achievement after one and two years of study.…

The Model of Children's Active Travel (M-CAT): a conceptual framework for examining factors influencing children's active travel.

PubMed

Pont, Karina; Ziviani, Jenny; Wadley, David; Abbott, Rebecca

2011-06-01

The current decline in children's participation in physical activity has attracted the attention of those concerned with children's health and wellbeing. A sustainable approach to ensuring children engage in adequate amounts of physical activity is to support their involvement in incidental activity such as active travel (AT), which includes walking or riding a bicycle to or from local destinations, such as school or a park. Understanding how we can embed physical activity into children's everyday occupational roles is a way in which occupational therapists can contribute to this important health promotion agenda. To present a simple, coherent and comprehensive framework as a means of examining factors influencing children's AT. Based on current literature, this conceptual framework incorporates the observable environment, parents' perceptions and decisions regarding their children's AT, as well as children's own perceptions and decisions regarding AT within their family contexts across time. The Model of Children's Active Travel (M-CAT) highlights the complex and dynamic nature of factors impacting the decision-making process of parents and children in relation to children's AT. The M-CAT offers a way forward for researchers to examine variables influencing active travel in a systematic manner. Future testing of the M-CAT will consolidate understanding of the factors underlying the decision-making process which occurs within families in the context of their communities. © 2010 The Authors. Australian Occupational Therapy Journal © 2010 Australian Association of Occupational Therapists.

Dynamic heart model for the mathematical cardiac torso (MCAT) phantom to represent the invariant total heart volume

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pretorius, P. H.; King, Michael A.; Tsui, Benjamin M.; LaCroix, Karen; Xia, Weishi

1998-07-01

This manuscript documents the alteration of the heart model of the MCAT phantom to better represent cardiac motion. The objective of the inclusion of motion was to develop a digital simulation of the heart such that the impact of cardiac motion on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging could be assessed and methods of quantitating cardiac function could be investigated. The motion of the dynamic MCAT's heart is modeled by a 128 time frame volume curve. Eight time frames are averaged together to obtain a gated perfusion acquisition of 16 time frames and ensure motion within every time frame. The position of the MCAT heart was changed during contraction to rotate back and forth around the long axis through the center of the left ventricle (LV) using the end systolic time frame as turning point. Simple respiratory motion was also introduced by changing the orientation of the heart model in a 2 dimensional (2D) plane with every time frame. The averaging effect of respiratory motion in a specific time frame was modeled by randomly selecting multiple heart locations between two extreme orientations. Non-gated perfusion phantoms were also generated by averaging over all time frames. Maximal chamber volumes were selected to fit a profile of a normal healthy person. These volumes were changed during contraction of the ventricles such that the increase in volume in the atria compensated for the decrease in volume in the ventricles. The myocardium were modeled to represent shortening of muscle fibers during contraction with the base of the ventricles moving towards a static apex. The apical region was modeled with moderate wall thinning present while myocardial mass was conserved. To test the applicability of the dynamic heart model, myocardial wall thickening was measured using maximum counts and full width half maximum measurements, and compared with published trends. An analytical 3D projector, with attenuation and detector response included, was used

Cryptic MCAT enhancer regulation in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Suppression of TEF-1 mediated activation by the single-stranded DNA-binding proteins, Pur alpha, Pur beta, and MSY1.

PubMed

Carlini, Leslie E; Getz, Michael J; Strauch, Arthur R; Kelm, Robert J

2002-03-08

An asymmetric polypurine-polypyrimidine cis-element located in the 5' region of the mouse vascular smooth muscle alpha-actin gene serves as a binding site for multiple proteins with specific affinity for either single- or double-stranded DNA. Here, we test the hypothesis that single-stranded DNA-binding proteins are responsible for preventing a cryptic MCAT enhancer centered within this element from cooperating with a nearby serum response factor-interacting CArG motif to trans-activate the minimal promoter in fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. DNA binding studies revealed that the core MCAT sequence mediates binding of transcription enhancer factor-1 to the double-stranded polypurine-polypyrimidine element while flanking nucleotides account for interaction of Pur alpha and Pur beta with the purine-rich strand and MSY1 with the complementary pyrimidine-rich strand. Mutations that selectively impaired high affinity single-stranded DNA binding by fibroblast or smooth muscle cell-derived Pur alpha, Pur beta, and MSY1 in vitro, released the cryptic MCAT enhancer from repression in transfected cells. Additional experiments indicated that Pur alpha, Pur beta, and MSY1 also interact specifically, albeit weakly, with double-stranded DNA and with transcription enhancer factor-1. These results are consistent with two plausible models of cryptic MCAT enhancer regulation by Pur alpha, Pur beta, and MSY1 involving either competitive single-stranded DNA binding or masking of MCAT-bound transcription enhancer factor-1.

The National Center Test for University Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Watanabe, Yoshinori

2013-01-01

This article describes the National Center Test for University Admissions, a unified national test in Japan, which is taken by 500,000 students every year. It states that implementation of the Center Test began in 1990, with the English component consisting only of the written section until 2005, when the listening section was first implemented…

Medical school dropout--testing at admission versus selection by highest grades as predictors.

PubMed

O'Neill, Lotte; Hartvigsen, Jan; Wallstedt, Birgitta; Korsholm, Lars; Eika, Berit

2011-11-01

Very few studies have reported on the effect of admission tests on medical school dropout. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive validity of non-grade-based admission testing versus grade-based admission relative to subsequent dropout. This prospective cohort study followed six cohorts of medical students admitted to the medical school at the University of Southern Denmark during 2002-2007 (n=1544). Half of the students were admitted based on their prior achievement of highest grades (Strategy 1) and the other half took a composite non-grade-based admission test (Strategy 2). Educational as well as social predictor variables (doctor-parent, origin, parenthood, parents living together, parent on benefit, university-educated parents) were also examined. The outcome of interest was students' dropout status at 2 years after admission. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to model dropout. Strategy 2 (admission test) students had a lower relative risk for dropping out of medical school within 2 years of admission (odds ratio 0.56, 95% confidence interval 0.39-0.80). Only the admission strategy, the type of qualifying examination and the priority given to the programme on the national application forms contributed significantly to the dropout model. Social variables did not predict dropout and neither did Strategy 2 admission test scores. Selection by admission testing appeared to have an independent, protective effect on dropout in this setting. © Blackwell Publishing Ltd 2011.

GRB2 interaction with the ecotropic murine leukemia virus receptor, mCAT-1, controls virus entry and is stimulated by virus binding.

PubMed

Chen, Zeming; Kolokoltsov, Andrey A; Wang, Jia; Adhikary, Shramika; Lorinczi, Marta; Elferink, Lisa A; Davey, Robert A

2012-02-01

For retroviruses such as HIV-1 and murine leukemia virus (MLV), active receptor recruitment and trafficking occur during viral entry. However, the underlying mechanisms and cellular factors involved in the process are largely uncharacterized. The viral receptor for ecotropic MLV (eMLV), a classical model for retrovirus infection mechanisms and pathogenesis, is mouse cationic amino acid transporter 1 (mCAT-1). Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) is an adaptor protein that has been shown to couple cell surface receptors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor, to intracellular signaling events. Here we examined if GRB2 could also play a role in controlling infection by retroviruses by affecting receptor function. The GRB2 RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated suppression of endogenous GRB2 resulted in a consistent and significant reduction of virus binding and membrane fusion. The binding between eMLV and cells promoted increased GRB2-mCAT-1 interactions, as detected by immunoprecipitation. Consistently, the increased colocalization of GRB2 and mCAT-1 signals was detected by confocal microscopy. This association was time dependent and paralleled the kinetics of cell-virus membrane fusion. Interestingly, unlike the canonical binding pattern seen for GRB2 and growth factor receptors, GRB2-mCAT-1 binding does not depend on the GRB2-SH2 domain-mediated recognition of tyrosine phosphorylation on the receptor. The inhibition of endogenous GRB2 led to a reduction in surface levels of mCAT-1, which was detected by immunoprecipitation and by a direct binding assay using a recombinant MLV envelope protein receptor binding domain (RBD). Consistent with this observation, the expression of a dominant negative GRB2 mutant (R86K) resulted in the sequestration of mCAT-1 from the cell surface into intracellular vesicles. Taken together, these findings suggest a novel role for GRB2 in ecotropic MLV entry and infection by facilitating

A Survey of International Practice in University Admissions Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Edwards, Daniel; Coates, Hamish; Friedman, Tim

2012-01-01

This paper explores how admissions tests are used in different higher education systems around the world. This is a relatively new area of research, despite the fact that admissions processes are a key component of university practices and given the ever increasing globalisation of higher education. This paper shows that aptitude and achievement…

Selection Bias in College Admissions Test Scores

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Melissa; Rothstein, Jesse; Schanzenbach, Diane Whitmore

2009-01-01

Data from college admissions tests can provide a valuable measure of student achievement, but the non-representativeness of test-takers is an important concern. We examine selectivity bias in both state-level and school-level SAT and ACT averages. The degree of selectivity may differ importantly across and within schools, and across and within…

At Admissions Conference, Talk of Standardized Tests, Early Decisions, and Swag

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Farrell, Elizabeth F.; Hoover, Eric

2007-01-01

At the annual conference of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (Nacac), admissions deans and high-school counselors gathered in September 2007 to grapple with questions such as: (1) Rethinking the role of standardized tests in admissions (many attendees predict that psychometric giants ACT and SAT, will not always dominate…

Standardized Tests and Other Criteria in Admissions Decisions: A Classroom Activity

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pawlow, Laura A.

2010-01-01

This exercise aims to provide a hands-on, role-playing activity that requires students to evaluate the strengths and limitations of standardized tests in making admission decisions. Small groups pretend to be an admissions committee and review fictitious student applications containing both standardized test scores and other information admissions…

SAT Wars: The Case for Test-Optional College Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Soares, Joseph A., Ed.

2011-01-01

What can a college admissions officer safely predict about the future of a 17-year-old? Are the best and the brightest students the ones who can check off the most correct boxes on a multiple-choice exam? Or are there better ways of measuring ability and promise? In this penetrating and revealing look at high-stakes standardized admissions tests,…

Deriving Stopping Rules for Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wang, Chun; Chang, Hua-Hua; Boughton, Keith A.

2013-01-01

Multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT) is able to provide a vector of ability estimates for each examinee, which could be used to provide a more informative profile of an examinee's performance. The current literature on MCAT focuses on the fixed-length tests, which can generate less accurate results for those examinees whose…

Medical school admission test: advantages for students whose parents are medical doctors?

PubMed

Simmenroth-Nayda, Anne; Görlich, Yvonne

2015-04-23

Admission candidates especially in medicine do not represent the socio-demographic proportions of the average population: children of parents with an academic background are highly overrepresented, and those with parents who are medical doctors represent quite a large and special group. At Göttingen University Medicine, a new admission procedure was established with the intention to broaden the base of applicants towards including candidates with previous medical training or lower final school grades. With a view to family background, we wished to know whether candidates differ in the test scores in our admission procedure. In February 2014 we asked all admission candidates of Göttingen University Medicine by questionnaire (nine closed, four open questions) about the academic background in their families, specifically, the medical background, school exam grades, and previous medical training as well as about how they prepared for the admission test. We also analysed data from admission scores of this group (semi-structured interview and four multiple mini-interviews). In addition to descriptive statistics, we used a Pearson correlation, means comparisons (t-test, analysis of variance), ANOVA, and a Scheffé test. In February 2014 nearly half of the applicants (44%) at Göttingen University Medicine had a medical background, most frequently, their parents were physicians. This rate is much higher than reported in the literature. Other socio-demographic baseline data did not differ from the percentages given in the literature. Of all applicants, 20% had previous medical training. The group of applicants with parents who were medical doctors did not show any advantage in either test-scoring (MMI and interview), their individual preparation for the admission test, or in receiving or accepting a place at medical school. Candidates with parents who were medical doctors had scored slightly lower in school exam grades. Our results suggest that there is a self

The Effect of Repeaters on Equating

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kim, HeeKyoung; Kolen, Michael J.

2010-01-01

Test equating might be affected by including in the equating analyses examinees who have taken the test previously. This study evaluated the effect of including such repeaters on Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) equating using a population invariance approach. Three-parameter logistic (3-PL) item response theory (IRT) true score and…

NASA's Orbital Debris Optical and IR Ground-based Observing Program: Utilizing the MCAT, UKIRT, and Magellan Telescopes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lederer, S.; Cowardin, H.; Buckalew, B.; Frith, J.; Hickson, P.; Pace, L.; Matney, M.; Anz-Meador, P.; Seitzer, P.; Stansbery, E.; Glesne, T.

2016-09-01

Characterizing debris in Earth-orbit has become increasingly important as the growing population of debris poses greater threats to active satellites each year. Currently, the Joint Space Operations is tracking > 23,000 objects ranging in size from 1-meter and larger in Geosychronous orbits (GEO) to 10-cm and larger at low-Earth orbits (LEO). Model estimates suggest that there are hundreds of thousands of pieces of spacecraft debris larger than 10 cm currently in orbit around the Earth. With such a small fraction of the total population being tracked, and new break-ups occurring from LEO to GEO, new assets, techniques, and approaches for characterizing this debris are needed. With this in mind, NASA's Orbital Debris Program Office has actively tasked a suite of telescopes around the world. In 2015, the newly-built 1.3m optical Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) came on-line on Ascension Island and is now being commissioned. MCAT is designed to track Earth-orbiting objects above 200km, conduct surveys at GEO, and work with a co-located Raven-class commercial-off-the-shelf system, a 0.4m telescope with a field-of-view similar to MCAT's and research-grade instrumentation designed to complement MCAT. The 3.8m infrared UKIRT telescope on Mauna Kea, Hawaii has been heavily tasked to collect data on individual targets and in survey modes to study both the general GEO population and a break-up event. Data collected include photometry and spectroscopy in the near-Infrared (0.85 - 2.5μm) and the mid-infrared (8-16μm). Finally, the 6.5-m Baade Magellan telescope at Las Campanas Observatory in Chile was used to collect optical photometric survey data in October 2015 of two GEO Titan transtage breakups, focusing on locations of possible debris concentrations as indicated by the NASA standard break-up model.

Differential Prediction Generalization in College Admissions Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aguinis, Herman; Culpepper, Steven A.; Pierce, Charles A.

2016-01-01

We introduce the concept of "differential prediction generalization" in the context of college admissions testing. Specifically, we assess the extent to which predicted first-year college grade point average (GPA) based on high-school grade point average (HSGPA) and SAT scores depends on a student's ethnicity and gender and whether this…

Aptitude, Achievement and Competence in Medicine: A Latent Variable Path Model

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Collin, V. Terri; Violato, Claudio; Hecker, Kent

2009-01-01

To develop and test a latent variable path model of general achievement, aptitude for medicine and competence in medicine employing data from the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), pre-medical undergraduate grade point average (UGPA) and demographic characteristics for competence in pre-clinical and measures of competence (United States…

Fit for the frontline? identification of mission-critical auditory tasks (MCATs) carried out by infantry and combat-support personnel.

PubMed

Semeraro, Hannah D; Bevis, Zoë L; Rowan, Daniel; van Besouw, Rachel M; Allsopp, Adrian J

2015-01-01

The ability to listen to commands in noisy environments and understand acoustic signals, while maintaining situational awareness, is an important skill for military personnel and can be critical for mission success. Seventeen auditory tasks carried out by British infantry and combat-support personnel were identified through a series of focus groups conducted by Bevis et al. For military personnel, these auditory tasks are termed mission-critical auditory tasks (MCATs) if they are carried in out in a military-specific environment and have a negative consequence when performed below a specified level. A questionnaire study was conducted to find out which of the auditory tasks identified by Bevis et al. satisfy the characteristics of an MCAT. Seventy-nine British infantry and combat-support personnel from four regiments across the South of England participated. For each auditory task participants indicated: 1) the consequences of poor performance on the task, 2) who performs the task, and 3) how frequently the task is carried out. The data were analysed to determine which tasks are carried out by which personnel, which have the most negative consequences when performed poorly, and which are performed the most frequently. This resulted in a list of 9 MCATs (7 speech communication tasks, 1 sound localization task, and 1 sound detection task) that should be prioritised for representation in a measure of auditory fitness for duty (AFFD) for these personnel. Incorporating MCATs in AFFD measures will help to ensure that personnel have the necessary auditory skills for safe and effective deployment on operational duties.

Fit for the frontline? Identification of mission-critical auditory tasks (MCATs) carried out by infantry and combat-support personnel

PubMed Central

Semeraro, Hannah D.; Bevis, Zoë L.; Rowan, Daniel; van Besouw, Rachel M.; Allsopp, Adrian J.

2015-01-01

The ability to listen to commands in noisy environments and understand acoustic signals, while maintaining situational awareness, is an important skill for military personnel and can be critical for mission success. Seventeen auditory tasks carried out by British infantry and combat-support personnel were identified through a series of focus groups conducted by Bevis et al. For military personnel, these auditory tasks are termed mission-critical auditory tasks (MCATs) if they are carried in out in a military-specific environment and have a negative consequence when performed below a specified level. A questionnaire study was conducted to find out which of the auditory tasks identified by Bevis et al. satisfy the characteristics of an MCAT. Seventy-nine British infantry and combat-support personnel from four regiments across the South of England participated. For each auditory task participants indicated: 1) the consequences of poor performance on the task, 2) who performs the task, and 3) how frequently the task is carried out. The data were analysed to determine which tasks are carried out by which personnel, which have the most negative consequences when performed poorly, and which are performed the most frequently. This resulted in a list of 9 MCATs (7 speech communication tasks, 1 sound localization task, and 1 sound detection task) that should be prioritised for representation in a measure of auditory fitness for duty (AFFD) for these personnel. Incorporating MCATs in AFFD measures will help to ensure that personnel have the necessary auditory skills for safe and effective deployment on operational duties. PMID:25774613

Medical University admission test: a confirmatory factor analysis of the results.

PubMed

Luschin-Ebengreuth, Marion; Dimai, Hans P; Ithaler, Daniel; Neges, Heide M; Reibnegger, Gilbert

2016-05-01

The Graz Admission Test has been applied since the academic year 2006/2007. The validity of the Test was demonstrated by a significant improvement of study success and a significant reduction of dropout rate. The purpose of this study was a detailed analysis of the internal correlation structure of the various components of the Graz Admission Test. In particular, the question investigated was whether or not the various test parts constitute a suitable construct which might be designated as "Basic Knowledge in Natural Science." This study is an observational investigation, analyzing the results of the Graz Admission Test for the study of human medicine and dentistry. A total of 4741 applicants were included in the analysis. Principal component factor analysis (PCFA) as well as techniques from structural equation modeling, specifically confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), were employed to detect potential underlying latent variables governing the behavior of the measured variables. PCFA showed good clustering of the science test parts, including also text comprehension. A putative latent variable "Basic Knowledge in Natural Science," investigated by CFA, was indeed shown to govern the response behavior of the applicants in biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics as well as text comprehension. The analysis of the correlation structure of the various test parts confirmed that the science test parts together with text comprehension constitute a satisfactory instrument for measuring a latent construct variable "Basic Knowledge in Natural Science." The present results suggest the fundamental importance of basic science knowledge for results obtained in the framework of the admission process for medical universities.

Testing for Bias against Female Test Takers of the Graduate Management Admissions Test and Potential Impact on Admissions to Graduate Programs in Business.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wright, Robert E.; Bachrach, Daniel G.

2003-01-01

Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores and grade point average in graduate core courses were compared for 190 male and 144 female business administration students. No significant differences in course performance were found, but males had been admitted with significantly higher GMAT scores, suggesting a bias against women. (Contains 27…

Structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis mtFabD, a malonyl-CoA:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT).

PubMed

Ghadbane, Hemza; Brown, Alistair K; Kremer, Laurent; Besra, Gurdyal S; Fütterer, Klaus

2007-10-01

Mycobacteria display a unique and unusual cell-wall architecture, central to which is the membrane-proximal mycolyl-arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan core (mAGP). The biosynthesis of mycolic acids, which form the outermost layer of the mAGP core, involves malonyl-CoA:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT). This essential enzyme catalyses the transfer of malonyl from coenzyme A to acyl carrier protein AcpM, thus feeding these two-carbon units into the chain-elongation cycle of the type II fatty-acid synthase. The crystal structure of M. tuberculosis mtFabD, the mycobacterial MCAT, has been determined to 3.0 A resolution by multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion. Phasing was facilitated by Ni2+ ions bound to the 20-residue N-terminal affinity tag, which packed between the two independent copies of mtFabD.

Item usage in a multidimensional computerized adaptive test (MCAT) measuring health-related quality of life.

PubMed

Paap, Muirne C S; Kroeze, Karel A; Terwee, Caroline B; van der Palen, Job; Veldkamp, Bernard P

2017-11-01

Examining item usage is an important step in evaluating the performance of a computerized adaptive test (CAT). We study item usage for a newly developed multidimensional CAT which draws items from three PROMIS domains, as well as a disease-specific one. The multidimensional item bank used in the current study contained 194 items from four domains: the PROMIS domains fatigue, physical function, and ability to participate in social roles and activities, and a disease-specific domain (the COPD-SIB). The item bank was calibrated using the multidimensional graded response model and data of 795 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. To evaluate the item usage rates of all individual items in our item bank, CAT simulations were performed on responses generated based on a multivariate uniform distribution. The outcome variables included active bank size and item overuse (usage rate larger than the expected item usage rate). For average θ-values, the overall active bank size was 9-10%; this number quickly increased as θ-values became more extreme. For values of -2 and +2, the overall active bank size equaled 39-40%. There was 78% overlap between overused items and active bank size for average θ-values. For more extreme θ-values, the overused items made up a much smaller part of the active bank size: here the overlap was only 35%. Our results strengthen the claim that relatively short item banks may suffice when using polytomous items (and no content constraints/exposure control mechanisms), especially when using MCAT.

How Should Colleges Treat Multiple Admissions Test Scores? ACT Working Paper 2017-4

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mattern, Krista; Radunzel, Justine; Bertling, Maria; Ho, Andrew

2017-01-01

The percentage of students retaking college admissions tests is rising (Harmston & Crouse, 2016). Researchers and college admissions offices currently use a variety of methods for summarizing these multiple scores. Testing companies, interested in validity evidence like correlations with college first-year grade-point averages (FYGPA), often…

An Assessment of the Importance of Admission Test for Enrollments in Public Universities of Bangladesh

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bhuia, Mohammad Romel; Das, Sumonkanti; Rahman, Khalidur; Alam, Khurshid,; Kawsar, Luthful Alahi; Hossain, Md. Kabir

2016-01-01

Public universities in Bangladesh arrange admission test to judge the students' merit before the enrollment. Academic results of previous examinations (SSC and HSC) are also considered in the admission procedure. There are some disputes regarding the importance of admission test besides the previous academic records. The universities emphasize on…

Theory-Based University Admissions Testing for a New Millennium

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sternberg, Robert J.

2004-01-01

This article describes two projects based on Robert J. Sternberg's theory of successful intelligence and designed to provide theory-based testing for university admissions. The first, Rainbow Project, provided a supplementary test of analytical, practical, and creative skills to augment the SAT in predicting college performance. The Rainbow…

Opening a Side-Gate: Engaging the Excluded in Chilean Higher Education through Test-Blind Admission

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Koljatic, Mladen; Silva, Monica

2013-01-01

The article describes a test-blind admission initiative in a Chilean research university aimed at expanding the inclusion of talented, albeit educationally and socially disadvantaged, students. The outcomes of the test-blind admission cohort were compared with those of students admitted via the regular admission procedure to the same academic…

What To Look for in ESL Admission Tests: Cambridge Certificate Exams, IELTS, and TOEFL.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chalhoub-Deville, Micheline; Turner, Carolyn E.

2000-01-01

Familiarizes test users with issues to consider when employing assessments for screening and admission purposes. Examines the purpose, content, and scoring methods of three English-as-a-Second-Language admissions tests--the Cambridge certificate exams, International English Language Teaching System, and Test of English as a Foreign…

Adjusting medical school admission: assessing interpersonal skills using situational judgement tests.

PubMed

Lievens, Filip

2013-02-01

Today's formal medical school admission systems often include only cognitively oriented tests, although most medical school curricula emphasise both cognitive and non-cognitive factors. Situational judgement tests (SJTs) may represent an innovative approach to the formal measurement of interpersonal skills in large groups of candidates in medical school admission processes. This study examined the validity of interpersonal video-based SJTs in relation to a variety of outcome measures. This study used a longitudinal and multiple-cohort design to examine anonymised medical school admissions and medical education data. It focused on data for the Flemish medical school admission examination between 1999 and 2002. Participants were 5444 candidates taking the medical school admission examination. Outcome measures were first-year grade point average (GPA), GPA in interpersonal communication courses, GPA in non-interpersonal courses, Bachelor's degree GPA, Master's degree GPA and final-year GPA (after 7 years). For students pursuing careers in general practice, additional outcome measures (9 years after sitting examinations) included supervisor ratings and the results of an interpersonal objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), a general practice knowledge test and a case-based interview. Interpersonal skills assessment carried out using SJTs had significant added value over cognitive tests for predicting interpersonal GPA throughout the curriculum, doctor performance, and performance on an OSCE and in a case-based interview. For the other outcomes, cognitive tests emerged as the better predictors. Females significantly outperformed males on the SJT (d = -0.26). The interpersonal SJT was perceived as significantly more job-related than the cognitive tests (d = 0.55). Video-based SJTs as measures of procedural knowledge about interpersonal behaviour show promise as complements to cognitive examination components. The interpersonal skills training received during

Advancing the efficiency and efficacy of patient reported outcomes with multivariate computer adaptive testing.

PubMed

Morris, Scott; Bass, Mike; Lee, Mirinae; Neapolitan, Richard E

2017-09-01

The Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) initiative developed an array of patient reported outcome (PRO) measures. To reduce the number of questions administered, PROMIS utilizes unidimensional item response theory and unidimensional computer adaptive testing (UCAT), which means a separate set of questions is administered for each measured trait. Multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) and multidimensional computer adaptive testing (MCAT) simultaneously assess correlated traits. The objective was to investigate the extent to which MCAT reduces patient burden relative to UCAT in the case of PROs. One MIRT and 3 unidimensional item response theory models were developed using the related traits anxiety, depression, and anger. Using these models, MCAT and UCAT performance was compared with simulated individuals. Surprisingly, the root mean squared error for both methods increased with the number of items. These results were driven by large errors for individuals with low trait levels. A second analysis focused on individuals aligned with item content. For these individuals, both MCAT and UCAT accuracies improved with additional items. Furthermore, MCAT reduced the test length by 50%. For the PROMIS Emotional Distress banks, neither UCAT nor MCAT provided accurate estimates for individuals at low trait levels. Because the items in these banks were designed to detect clinical levels of distress, there is little information for individuals with low trait values. However, trait estimates for individuals targeted by the banks were accurate and MCAT asked substantially fewer questions. By reducing the number of items administered, MCAT can allow clinicians and researchers to assess a wider range of PROs with less patient burden. © The Author 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Medical Informatics Association. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com

Trends Plus: U.S. Medical School Applicants, Matriculants, Graduates 1992.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Association of American Medical Colleges, Washington, DC.

This report provides statistical data and charts concerning trends in undergraduate medical education over the past decade. It presents trends in grade point averages (GPAs); in Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores for premedical school applicants and matriculants; and provides information on applicant and matriculant characteristics,…

Best Design for Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing With the Bifactor Model

PubMed Central

Seo, Dong Gi; Weiss, David J.

2015-01-01

Most computerized adaptive tests (CATs) have been studied using the framework of unidimensional item response theory. However, many psychological variables are multidimensional and might benefit from using a multidimensional approach to CATs. This study investigated the accuracy, fidelity, and efficiency of a fully multidimensional CAT algorithm (MCAT) with a bifactor model using simulated data. Four item selection methods in MCAT were examined for three bifactor pattern designs using two multidimensional item response theory models. To compare MCAT item selection and estimation methods, a fixed test length was used. The Ds-optimality item selection improved θ estimates with respect to a general factor, and either D- or A-optimality improved estimates of the group factors in three bifactor pattern designs under two multidimensional item response theory models. The MCAT model without a guessing parameter functioned better than the MCAT model with a guessing parameter. The MAP (maximum a posteriori) estimation method provided more accurate θ estimates than the EAP (expected a posteriori) method under most conditions, and MAP showed lower observed standard errors than EAP under most conditions, except for a general factor condition using Ds-optimality item selection. PMID:29795848

Fv1-like restriction of N-tropic replication-competent murine leukaemia viruses in mCAT-1-expressing human cells.

PubMed

Aagaard, Lars; Mikkelsen, Jacob Giehm; Warming, Søren; Duch, Mogens; Pedersen, Finn Skou

2002-02-01

To study the replication of murine leukaemia viruses in human cells we have used full-length as well as EGFP-tagged ecotropic viruses in combination with mCAT-1-expressing human cells. We present results showing that N-tropic murine leukaemia viruses are restricted in both infection and replication in such cells while B-tropic viruses, modified at capsid position 110, escape restriction. These results support a recently reported Fv1-like restriction in mammalian cells. We extend the analysis of Fv1-like restriction by demonstrating that NB-tropic viruses also escape restriction and human mCAT-1-expressing cells are thus similar to murine Fv1(b) cells with respect to infection though the ecotropic receptor pathway.

GRB2 Interaction with the Ecotropic Murine Leukemia Virus Receptor, mCAT-1, Controls Virus Entry and Is Stimulated by Virus Binding

PubMed Central

Chen, Zeming; Kolokoltsov, Andrey A.; Wang, Jia; Adhikary, Shramika; Lorinczi, Marta; Elferink, Lisa A.

2012-01-01

For retroviruses such as HIV-1 and murine leukemia virus (MLV), active receptor recruitment and trafficking occur during viral entry. However, the underlying mechanisms and cellular factors involved in the process are largely uncharacterized. The viral receptor for ecotropic MLV (eMLV), a classical model for retrovirus infection mechanisms and pathogenesis, is mouse cationic amino acid transporter 1 (mCAT-1). Growth factor receptor-bound protein 2 (GRB2) is an adaptor protein that has been shown to couple cell surface receptors, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and hepatocyte growth factor receptor, to intracellular signaling events. Here we examined if GRB2 could also play a role in controlling infection by retroviruses by affecting receptor function. The GRB2 RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated suppression of endogenous GRB2 resulted in a consistent and significant reduction of virus binding and membrane fusion. The binding between eMLV and cells promoted increased GRB2–mCAT-1 interactions, as detected by immunoprecipitation. Consistently, the increased colocalization of GRB2 and mCAT-1 signals was detected by confocal microscopy. This association was time dependent and paralleled the kinetics of cell-virus membrane fusion. Interestingly, unlike the canonical binding pattern seen for GRB2 and growth factor receptors, GRB2–mCAT-1 binding does not depend on the GRB2-SH2 domain-mediated recognition of tyrosine phosphorylation on the receptor. The inhibition of endogenous GRB2 led to a reduction in surface levels of mCAT-1, which was detected by immunoprecipitation and by a direct binding assay using a recombinant MLV envelope protein receptor binding domain (RBD). Consistent with this observation, the expression of a dominant negative GRB2 mutant (R86K) resulted in the sequestration of mCAT-1 from the cell surface into intracellular vesicles. Taken together, these findings suggest a novel role for GRB2 in ecotropic MLV entry and infection by

The BioMedical Admissions Test for medical student selection: issues of fairness and bias.

PubMed

Emery, Joanne L; Bell, John F; Vidal Rodeiro, Carmen L

2011-01-01

The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) forms part of the undergraduate medical admission process at the University of Cambridge. The fairness of admissions tests is an important issue. Aims were to investigate the relationships between applicants' background variables and BMAT scores, whether they were offered a place or rejected and, for those admitted, performance on the first year course examinations. Multilevel regression models were employed with data from three combined applicant cohorts. Admission rates for different groups were investigated with and without controlling for BMAT performance. The fairness of the BMAT was investigated by determining, for those admitted, whether scores predicted examination performance equitably. Despite some differences in applicants' BMAT performance (e.g. by school type and gender), BMAT scores predicted mean examination marks equitably for all background variables considered. The probability of achieving a 1st class examination result, however, was slightly under-predicted for those admitted from schools and colleges entering relatively few applicants. Not all differences in admission rates were accounted for by BMAT performance. However, the test constitutes only one part of a compensatory admission system in which other factors, such as interview performance, are important considerations. Results are in support of the equity of the BMAT.

Validity of the Optometry Admission Test in Predicting Performance in Schools and Colleges of Optometry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kramer, Gene A.; Johnston, JoElle

1997-01-01

A study examined the relationship between Optometry Admission Test scores and pre-optometry or undergraduate grade point average (GPA) with first and second year performance in optometry schools. The test's predictive validity was limited but significant, and comparable to those reported for other admission tests. In addition, the scores…

Predicting First-Quarter Test Scores from the New Medical College Admission Test.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cullen, Thomas J.; And Others

1980-01-01

The predictive validity of the new Medical College Admission Test as it relates to end-of-quarter examinations in anatomy, histology, physiology, biochemistry, and "ages of man" is presented. Results indicate that the Science Knowledge assessment areas of chemistry and physics and the Science Problems subtest were most useful in…

Situational judgment test as an additional tool in a medical admission test: an observational investigation.

PubMed

Luschin-Ebengreuth, Marion; Dimai, Hans P; Ithaler, Daniel; Neges, Heide M; Reibnegger, Gilbert

2015-03-14

In the framework of medical university admission procedures the assessment of non-cognitive abilities is increasingly demanded. As tool for assessing personal qualities or the ability to handle theoretical social constructs in complex situations, the Situational Judgment Test (SJT), among other measurement instruments, is discussed in the literature. This study focuses on the development and the results of the SJT as part of the admission test for the study of human medicine and dentistry at one medical university in Austria. Observational investigation focusing on the results of the SJT. 4741 applicants were included in the study. To yield comparable results for the different test parts, "relative scores" for each test part were calculated. Performance differences between women and men in the various test parts are analyzed using effect sizes based on comparison of mean values (Cohen's d). The associations between the relative scores achieved in the various test parts were assessed by computing pairwise linear correlation coefficients between all test parts and visualized by bivariate scatterplots. Among successful candidates, men consistently outperform women. Men perform better in physics and mathematics. Women perform better in the SJT part. The least discriminatory test part was the SJT. A strong correlation between biology and chemistry and moderate correlations between the other test parts except SJT is obvious. The relative scores are not symmetrically distributed. The cognitive loading of the performed SJTs points to the low correlation between the SJTs and cognitive abilities. Adding the SJT part into the admission test, in order to cover more than only knowledge and understanding of natural sciences among the applicants has been quite successful.

Association Between Undergraduate Performance Predictors and Academic and Clinical Performance of Osteopathic Medical Students.

PubMed

Agahi, Farshad; Speicher, Mark R; Cisek, Grace

2018-02-01

Medical schools use a variety of preadmission indices to select potential students. These indices generally include undergraduate grade point average (GPA), Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, and preadmission interviews. To investigate whether the admission indices used by Midwestern University Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine are associated with the academic and clinical performance of their students. Associations between the prematriculation variables of undergraduate science GPA, undergraduate total GPA, MCAT component scores, and interview scores and the academic and clinical variables of the first- and second-year medical school GPA, Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE) total and discipline scores, scores in clinical rotations for osteopathic competencies, COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation passage, and match status were evaluated. Two-tailed Pearson product-moment correlations with a Bonferroni adjustment were used to examine these relationships. The traditional predictors of science and total undergraduate GPA as well as total and component MCAT scores had small to moderate associations with first- and second-year GPA, as well as COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2-CE total scores. Of all predictors, only the MCAT biological sciences score had a statistically significant correlation with failure of the COMLEX-USA Level 2-Performance Evaluation examination (P=.009). Average interview scores were associated only with the osteopathic competency of medical knowledge (r=0.233; n=209; P=.001), as assessed by clerkship preceptors. No predictors were associated with scores in objective structured clinical encounters or with failing to match to a residency position. The data indicate that traditional predictors of academic performance (undergraduate GPA, undergraduate science GPA, and MCAT scores) have small to moderate association with medical school grades and

Predicting Academic Performance at a Predominantly Black Medical School.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Johnson, Davis G.; And Others

1986-01-01

The validity of the Medical College Admission (MCAT), undergraduate grade-point average (GPA), and "competitiveness" of undergraduate college in predicting the performance of students at a predominantly black college of medicine was examined. No differences between men and women were found in the validity of MCAT scores and GPA.…

NASA's Orbital Debris Optical and IR Ground-Based Observing Program Utilizing the MCAT, UKIRT, and Magellan Telescopes

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lederer, Susan; Cowardin, H. M.; Buckalew, B.; Frith, J.; Hickson, P.; Pace, L.; Matney, M.; Anz-Meador, P.; Seitzer, P.; Stansbery, E.;

Writing, self-reflection, and medical school performance: the Human Context of Health Care.

PubMed

Stephens, Mark B; Reamy, Brian V; Anderson, Denise; Olsen, Cara; Hemmer, Paul A; Durning, Steven J; Auster, Simon

2012-09-01

Finding ways to improve communication and self-reflection skills is an important element of medical education and continuing professional development. This study examines the relationship between self-reflection and educational outcomes. We correlate performance in a preclinical course that focuses on self-reflection as it relates to contextual elements of patient care (Human Context of Health Care), with educational measures such as overall grade point average, clinical clerkship scores, and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores. Student performance in Human Context of Health Care correlated with MCAT-Verbal scores, MCAT-writing sample scores, clerkship grades, and overall medical school grade point average (R = 0.3; p < 0.001). Writing and self-reflection skills are often neglected in undergraduate medical curricula. Our findings suggest that these skills are important and correlate with recognized long-term educational outcomes.

A Comparative Study of Online Item Calibration Methods in Multidimensional Computerized Adaptive Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chen, Ping

2017-01-01

Calibration of new items online has been an important topic in item replenishment for multidimensional computerized adaptive testing (MCAT). Several online calibration methods have been proposed for MCAT, such as multidimensional "one expectation-maximization (EM) cycle" (M-OEM) and multidimensional "multiple EM cycles"…

Modeling Relationships between Traditional Preadmission Measures and Clinical Skills Performance on a Medical Licensure Examination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Roberts, William L.; Pugliano, Gina; Langenau, Erik; Boulet, John R.

2012-01-01

Medical schools employ a variety of preadmission measures to select students most likely to succeed in the program. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the undergraduate college grade point average (uGPA) are two academic measures typically used to select students in medical school. The assumption that presently used preadmission…

AN EXPLORATORY STUDY OF PREDICTORS OF PHYSICIAN PERFORMANCE.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

JACOBSEN, TONY L.; AND OTHERS

AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DETERMINE THE PREDICTIVE ACCURACY OF THREE MEDICAL SCHOOL SELECTION DEVICES--PREMEDICAL GRADES, THE MEDICAL COLLEGE ADMISSION TEST (MCAT), AND THE BIOGRAPHICAL INVENTORY FOR MEDICINE (BIM). THE BIM REPRESENTS A NEWLY DEVISED SELECTION INSTRUMENT FOR THE MEDICAL SCHOOL. IN THE STUDY, EACH INSTRUMENT WAS VALIDATED AGAINST…

Characterizing the Survey Strategy and Initial Orbit Determination Abilities of the NASA MCAT Telescope for Geosynchronous Orbital Debris Environmental Studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Frith, J.; Barker, E.; Cowardin, H.; Buckalew, B.; Anz-Meador, P.; Lederer, S.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) recently commissioned the Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) on Ascension Island with the primary goal of obtaining population statistics of the geosynchronous (GEO) orbital debris environment. To help facilitate this, studies have been conducted using MCAT’s known and projected capabilities to estimate the accuracy and timeliness in which it can survey the GEO environment, including collected weather data and the proposed observational data collection cadence. To optimize observing cadences and probability of detection, on-going work using a simulated GEO debris population sampled at various cadences are run through the Constrained Admissible Region Multi Hypotheses Filter (CAR-MHF). The orbits computed from the results are then compared to the simulated data to assess MCAT’s ability to determine accurately the orbits of debris at various sample rates. The goal of this work is to discriminate GEO and near-GEO objects from GEO transfer orbit objects that can appear as GEO objects in the environmental models due to the short arc observation and an assumed circular orbit. The specific methods and results are presented here.

Beyond Correlations: Usefulness of High School GPA and Test Scores in Making College Admissions Decisions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sawyer, Richard

2013-01-01

Correlational evidence suggests that high school GPA is better than admission test scores in predicting first-year college GPA, although test scores have incremental predictive validity. The usefulness of a selection variable in making admission decisions depends in part on its predictive validity, but also on institutions' selectivity and…

[Medical school admission test at the University of Goettingen - which applicants will benefit?].

PubMed

Simmenroth-Nayda, Anne; Meskauskas, Erik; Burckhardt, Gerhard; Görlich, Yvonne

2014-01-01

Medical schools in Germany may select 60% of the student applicants through their own admission tests. The influence of the school-leaving examination grades (EGs) in each of the procedural steps is controversial. At Goettingen Medical School, we combine a structured interview and a communicative skills assessment. We analysed how many applicants succeeded in our admission test, compared to a model which only takes EGs into account. Admission scores were transferred into SPSS-21. Sociodemographic data were submitted by the Stiftung Hochschulstart. Besides descriptive statistics, we used Pearson-correlation and means comparisons (t-test, analysis of variance). 221 applicants (EGs 1.0-1.9) were invited in the winter semester 2013/14 and 222 applicants (EGs 1.1-1.8) in the summer semester 2014. The proportion of women was 68% (winter) and 74% (summer). Sixteen and 37 applicants had a medical vocational training and performed slightly better. The analysis showed that our test was gender neutral. EGs did not correlate with interviews or skills assessment. Despite a two-fold impact of EGs, 26 (winter) and 44 (summer) of the overall 181 applicants had EGs of 1.4 -1.9, which would have been too low for admission otherwise. If EGs were only considered once, 40 (winter) and 59 (summer) applicants would have succeeded. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier GmbH.

Structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis mtFabD, a malonyl-CoA:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT)

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Ghadbane, Hemza; Brown, Alistair K.; Kremer, Laurent

2007-10-01

Binding of Ni{sup 2+} ions to the uncleaved affinity tag facilitated de novo phasing of the crystal structure of M. tuberculosis mtFabD to 3.0 Å resolution. Mycobacteria display a unique and unusual cell-wall architecture, central to which is the membrane-proximal mycolyl-arabinogalactan-peptidoglycan core (mAGP). The biosynthesis of mycolic acids, which form the outermost layer of the mAGP core, involves malonyl-CoA:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT). This essential enzyme catalyses the transfer of malonyl from coenzyme A to acyl carrier protein AcpM, thus feeding these two-carbon units into the chain-elongation cycle of the type II fatty-acid synthase. The crystal structure of M. tuberculosismore » mtFabD, the mycobacterial MCAT, has been determined to 3.0 Å resolution by multi-wavelength anomalous dispersion. Phasing was facilitated by Ni{sup 2+} ions bound to the 20-residue N-terminal affinity tag, which packed between the two independent copies of mtFabD.« less

Evaluating 1-, 2- and 3- Parameter Logistic Models Using Model-Based and Empirically-Based Simulations under Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Set Conditions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rizavi, Saba; Way, Walter D.; Lu, Ying; Pitoniak, Mary; Steffen, Manfred

2004-01-01

The purpose of this study was to use realistically simulated data to evaluate various CAT designs for use with the verbal reasoning measure of the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT). Factors such as item pool depth, content constraints, and item formats often cause repeated adaptive administrations of an item at ability levels that are not…

Medical School Applicant Characteristics Associated With Performance in Multiple Mini-Interviews Versus Traditional Interviews: A Multi-Institutional Study.

PubMed

Henderson, Mark C; Kelly, Carolyn J; Griffin, Erin; Hall, Theodore R; Jerant, Anthony; Peterson, Ellena M; Rainwater, Julie A; Sousa, Francis J; Wofsy, David; Franks, Peter

2017-10-31

To examine applicant characteristics associated with multi mini-interview (MMI) or traditional interview (TI) performance at five California public medical schools. Of the five California Longitudinal Evaluation of Admissions Practices (CA-LEAP) consortium schools, three used TIs and two used MMIs. Schools provided the following retrospective data on all 2011-2013 admissions cycle interviewees: age, gender, race/ethnicity (under-represented in medicine [UIM] or not), self-identified disadvantaged (DA) status, undergraduate GPA, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, and interview score (standardized as z-score, mean = 0, SD = 1). Adjusted linear regression analyses, stratified by interview type, examined associations with interview performance. The 4,993 applicants who completed 7,516 interviews included 931 (18.6%) UIM and 962 (19.3%) DA individuals; 3,226 (64.6%) had one interview. Mean age was 24.4 (SD = 2.7); mean GPA and MCAT score were 3.72 (SD = 0.22) and 33.6 (SD = 3.7), respectively. Older age, female gender, and number of prior interviews were associated with better performance on both MMIs and TIs. Higher GPA was associated with lower MMI scores (z-score, per unit GPA = -0.26, 95% CI [-0.45, -0.06]), but unrelated to TI scores. DA applicants had higher TI scores (z-score = 0.17, 95% CI [0.07, 0.28]), but lower MMI scores (z-score = -0.18, 95% CI [-0.28, -.08]) than non-DA applicants. Neither UIM status nor MCAT score were associated with interview performance. These findings have potentially important workforce implications, particularly regarding DA applicants, and illustrate the need for other multi-institutional studies of medical school admissions processes.

Predictive validity of the Biomedical Admissions Test: an evaluation and case study.

PubMed

McManus, I C; Ferguson, Eamonn; Wakeford, Richard; Powis, David; James, David

2011-01-01

There has been an increase in the use of pre-admission selection tests for medicine. Such tests need to show good psychometric properties. Here, we use a paper by Emery and Bell [2009. The predictive validity of the Biomedical Admissions Test for pre-clinical examination performance. Med Educ 43:557-564] as a case study to evaluate and comment on the reporting of psychometric data in the field of medical student selection (and the comments apply to many papers in the field). We highlight pitfalls when reliability data are not presented, how simple zero-order associations can lead to inaccurate conclusions about the predictive validity of a test, and how biases need to be explored and reported. We show with BMAT that it is the knowledge part of the test which does all the predictive work. We show that without evidence of incremental validity it is difficult to assess the value of any selection tests for medicine.

Bridging Physics and Biology Using Resistance and Axons

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Dyer, Joshua M.

2014-01-01

When teaching physics, it is often difficult to get biology-oriented students to see the relevance of physics. A complaint often heard is that biology students are required to take physics for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) as part of a "weeding out" process, but that they don't feel like they need physics for biology. Despite…

Class-Wide Access to a Commercial Step 1 Question Bank During Preclinical Organ-Based Modules: A Pilot Project.

PubMed

Baños, James H; Pepin, Mark E; Van Wagoner, Nicholas

2018-03-01

The authors examined the usefulness of a commercially available Step 1 question bank as a formative academic support tool throughout organ-based modules in an integrated preclinical medical curriculum. The authors also determined the extent to which correlation between question bank utilization and academic metrics varied with Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores. In 2015, a cohort of 185 first-year medical students at University of Alabama School of Medicine were provided with 18-month full access to a commercially available Step 1 question bank of over 2,100 items throughout organ-based modules, although there were no requirements for use. Data on student use of the question bank were collected via an online administrative portal. Relationships between question bank utilization and academic outcomes including exams, module grades, and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 were determined using multiple linear regression. MCAT scores and number of items attempted in the question bank significantly predicted all academic measures, with question bank utilization as the stronger predictor. The association between question bank utilization and academic outcome was stronger for individuals with lower MCAT scores. The findings elucidate a novel academic support mechanism that, for some programs, may help bridge the gap between holistic and mission-based admissions practices and a residency match process that places a premium on USMLE exam scores. Distributed formative use of USMLE Step 1 practice questions may be of value as an academic support tool that benefits all students, but particularly those entering with lower MCAT scores.

Validating use of a critical thinking test for the dental admission test.

PubMed

Tsai, Tsung-Hsun

2014-04-01

The purpose of this study was to validate the use of a test to assess dental school applicants' critical thinking abilities. The intent was to include this test on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) if it was shown to enhance the DAT's validity. Correlation and regression analyses of undergraduate and dental school performance with scores on each of the tests on the DAT battery and the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) were performed. Data were collected from 439 third- and fourth-year dental students who consented to participate and were enrolled at one of the ten accredited dental schools included in the study. These ten dental schools were from most regions of the United States. This study concluded that including the CCTST on the DAT did not significantly enhance the DAT's validity.

This Test Is Unfair: African American and Latino High School Students' Perceptions of Standardized College Admission Tests.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Walpole, MaryBeth; McDonough, Patricia M.; Bauer, Constance J.; Gibson, Carolyn; Kanyi, Kamau T.; Toliver, Rita

This qualitative study focused on African American and Latino high school students perceptions of standardized admission tests, including the Scholastic Assessment Tests (I and II) and the ACT Assessment. Students enrolled in college preparatory classes were interviewed about these tests individually and in focus groups in fall 1998 in their…

Testing In College Admissions: An Alternative to the Traditional Predictive Model.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lunneborg, Clifford E.

1982-01-01

A decision-making or utility theory model (which deals effectively with affirmative action goals and allows standardized tests to be placed in the service of those goals) is discussed as an alternative to traditional predictive admissions. (Author/PN)

Dropout rates in medical students at one school before and after the installation of admission tests in Austria.

PubMed

Reibnegger, Gilbert; Caluba, Hans-Christian; Ithaler, Daniel; Manhal, Simone; Neges, Heide Maria; Smolle, Josef

2011-08-01

Admission to medical studies in Austria since academic year 2005-2006 has been regulated by admission tests. At the Medical University of Graz, an admission test focusing on secondary-school-level knowledge in natural sciences has been used for this purpose. The impact of this important change on dropout rates of female versus male students and older versus younger students is reported. All 2,860 students admitted to the human medicine diploma program at the Medical University of Graz from academic years 2002-2003 to 2008-2009 were included. Nonparametric and semiparametric survival analysis techniques were employed to compare cumulative probability of dropout between demographic groups. Cumulative probability of dropout was significantly reduced in students selected by active admission procedure versus those admitted openly (P < .0001). Relative hazard ratio of selected versus openly admitted students was only 0.145 (95% CI, 0.106-0.198). Among openly admitted students, but not for selected ones, the cumulative probabilities for dropout were higher for females (P < .0001) and for older students (P < .0001). Generally, dropout hazard is highest during the second year of study. The introduction of admission testing significantly decreased the cumulative probability for dropout. In openly admitted students a significantly higher risk for dropout was found in female students and in older students, whereas no such effects can be detected after admission testing. Future research should focus on the sex dependence, with the aim of improving success rates among female applicants on the admission tests.

40 CFR 85.1509 - Final admission of modification and test vehicles.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 40 Protection of Environment 18 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Final admission of modification and test vehicles. 85.1509 Section 85.1509 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) AIR PROGRAMS (CONTINUED) CONTROL OF AIR POLLUTION FROM MOBILE SOURCES Importation of Motor...

Examining the Impact of Covariates on Anchor Tests to Ascertain Quality over Time in a College Admissions Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wiberg, Marie; von Davier, Alina A.

2017-01-01

We propose a comprehensive procedure for the implementation of a quality control process of anchor tests for a college admissions test with multiple consecutive administrations. We propose to examine the anchor tests and their items in connection with covariates to investigate if there was any unusual behavior in the anchor test results over time…

Admissions of injection drug users to drug abuse treatment following HIV counseling and testing.

PubMed

McCusker, J; Willis, G; McDonald, M; Lewis, B F; Sereti, S M; Feldman, Z T

1994-01-01

The outcomes of counseling and testing programs related to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and risk of infection among injection drug users (IDUs) are not well known or understood. A counseling and testing outcome of potential public health importance is attaining admission to drug abuse treatment by those IDUs who are either infected or who are at high risk of becoming infected. The authors investigated factors related to admission to drug abuse treatment among 519 IDUs who received HIV counseling and testing from September 1987 through December 1990 at a men's prison and at community-based testing sites in Worcester, MA. By June 1991, 123 of the 519 IDUs (24 percent) had been admitted to treatment. Variables associated with their admission included a long history of drug injection, frequent recent drug injection, cleaning injection equipment using bleach, prior drug treatment, and a positive HIV test result. Logistic regression analyses, controlling for effects of recruitment site, year, sex, and area of residence, generally confirmed the associations. IDUs in the study population who were HIV-infected sought treatment or were admitted to treatment more frequently than those who were not infected. The results indicate that access to drug abuse treatment should be facilitated for high-risk IDUs and for those who have begun to inject drugs recently.

Selection Bias in College Admissions Test Scores. NBER Working Paper No. 14265

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clark, Melissa; Rothstein, Jesse; Schanzenbach, Diane Whitmore

2008-01-01

Data from college admissions tests can provide a valuable measure of student achievement, but the non-representativeness of test-takers is an important concern. We examine selectivity bias in both state-level and school-level SAT and ACT averages. The degree of selectivity may differ importantly across and within schools, and across and within…

Sex-Specific Differential Prediction of College Admission Tests: A Meta-Analysis

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fischer, Franziska T.; Schult, Johannes; Hell, Benedikt

2013-01-01

This is the first meta-analysis that investigates the differential prediction of undergraduate and graduate college admission tests for women and men. Findings on 130 independent samples representing 493,048 students are summarized. The underprediction of women's academic performance (d = 0.14) and the overprediction of men's academic performance…

MCAT to XCAT: The Evolution of 4-D Computerized Phantoms for Imaging Research

PubMed Central

Paul Segars, W.; Tsui, Benjamin M. W.

2012-01-01

Recent work in the development of computerized phantoms has focused on the creation of ideal “hybrid” models that seek to combine the realism of a patient-based voxelized phantom with the flexibility of a mathematical or stylized phantom. We have been leading the development of such computerized phantoms for use in medical imaging research. This paper will summarize our developments dating from the original four-dimensional (4-D) Mathematical Cardiac-Torso (MCAT) phantom, a stylized model based on geometric primitives, to the current 4-D extended Cardiac-Torso (XCAT) and Mouse Whole-Body (MOBY) phantoms, hybrid models of the human and laboratory mouse based on state-of-the-art computer graphics techniques. This paper illustrates the evolution of computerized phantoms toward more accurate models of anatomy and physiology. This evolution was catalyzed through the introduction of nonuniform rational b-spline (NURBS) and subdivision (SD) surfaces, tools widely used in computer graphics, as modeling primitives to define a more ideal hybrid phantom. With NURBS and SD surfaces as a basis, we progressed from a simple geometrically based model of the male torso (MCAT) containing only a handful of structures to detailed, whole-body models of the male and female (XCAT) anatomies (at different ages from newborn to adult), each containing more than 9000 structures. The techniques we applied for modeling the human body were similarly used in the creation of the 4-D MOBY phantom, a whole-body model for the mouse designed for small animal imaging research. From our work, we have found the NURBS and SD surface modeling techniques to be an efficient and flexible way to describe the anatomy and physiology for realistic phantoms. Based on imaging data, the surfaces can accurately model the complex organs and structures in the body, providing a level of realism comparable to that of a voxelized phantom. In addition, they are very flexible. Like stylized models, they can easily be

Analysis of Institutional Competitiveness of Junior High Schools through the Admission Test to High School Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Armendáriz, Joyzukey; Tarango, Javier; Machin-Mastromatteo, Juan Daniel

2018-01-01

This descriptive and correlational research studies 15,658 students from 335 secondary schools in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, through the results of the examination of admission to high school education (National High School Admission Test--EXANI I from the National Assessment Center for Education--CENEVAL) on logical-mathematical and verbal…

Functional overload increases beta-MHC promoter activity in rodent fast muscle via the proximal MCAT (betae3) site.

PubMed

Giger, Julia M; Haddad, Fadia; Qin, Anqi X; Baldwin, Kenneth M

2002-03-01

Functional overload (OL) of the rat plantaris muscle by the removal of synergistic muscles induces a shift in the myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform expression profile from the fast isoforms toward the slow type I, or, beta-MHC isoform. Different length rat beta-MHC promoters were linked to a firefly luciferase reporter gene and injected in control and OL plantaris muscles. Reporter activities of -3,500, -914, -408, and -215 bp promoters increased in response to 1 wk of OL. The smallest -171 bp promoter was not responsive to OL. Mutation analyses of putative regulatory elements within the -171 and -408 bp region were performed. The -408 bp promoters containing mutations of the betae1, distal muscle CAT (MCAT; betae2), CACC, or A/T-rich (GATA), were still responsive to OL. Only the proximal MCAT (betae3) mutation abolished the OL response. Gel mobility shift assays revealed a significantly higher level of complex formation of the betae3 probe with nuclear protein from OL plantaris compared with control plantaris. These results suggest that the betae3 site functions as a putative OL-responsive element in the rat beta-MHC gene promoter.

Validating Standardized Testing: The Role of the SAT and ACT in Undergraduate Admissions. [Background Information to Legislative Hearing].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moore, Jamillah; Teng, Allen

A hearing was planned by the California Senate Select Committee on Higher Education Admissions and Outreach to consider the role of the Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT) in the admission of students to California's public universities. The hearing was intended to provide a serious discussion of the merits and…

The Gender Difference: Validity of Standardized Admission Tests in Predicting MBA Performance.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hancock, Terence

1999-01-01

Of 120 female and 149 male master of business administration (MBA) students, women performed significantly less well on the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). There were no differences in overall MBA grade point average, indicating no strong correlation between the GMAT and MBA performance. (SK)

Validating Standardized Testing: The Role of the SAT and ACT in Undergraduate Admissions. [Hearing before the California Legislature, Senate Select Committee on Higher Education Admissions and Outreach, Sacramento, California, February 5, 1998].

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

California State Legislature, Sacramento. Senate Select Committee on Higher Education Admissions and Outreach.

This report contains testimony and materials presented at the California Senate Select Committee on Higher Education Admissions and Outreach hearing, February 1998, held to examine the role of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) and the American College Test (ACT) in undergraduate admissions to the public universities of California. In her…

Molecular interactions between single-stranded DNA-binding proteins associated with an essential MCAT element in the mouse smooth muscle alpha-actin promoter.

PubMed

Kelm, R J; Cogan, J G; Elder, P K; Strauch, A R; Getz, M J

1999-05-14

Transcriptional activity of the mouse vascular smooth muscle alpha-actin gene in fibroblasts is regulated, in part, by a 30-base pair asymmetric polypurine-polypyrimidine tract containing an essential MCAT enhancer motif. The double-stranded form of this sequence serves as a binding site for a transcription enhancer factor 1-related protein while the separated single strands interact with two distinct DNA binding activities termed VACssBF1 and 2 (Cogan, J. G., Sun, S., Stoflet, E. S., Schmidt, L. J., Getz, M. J., and Strauch, A. R. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 11310-11321; Sun, S., Stoflet, E. S., Cogan, J. G., Strauch, A. R., and Getz, M. J. (1995) Mol. Cell. Biol. 15, 2429-2936). VACssBF2 has been recently cloned and shown to consist of two closely related proteins, Puralpha and Purbeta (Kelm, R. J., Elder, P. K., Strauch, A. R., and Getz, M. J. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 26727-26733). In this study, we demonstrate that Puralpha and Purbeta interact with each other via highly specific protein-protein interactions and bind to the purine-rich strand of the MCAT enhancer in the form of both homo- and heteromeric complexes. Moreover, both Pur proteins interact with MSY1, a VACssBF1-like protein cloned by virtue of its affinity for the pyrimidine-rich strand of the enhancer. Interactions between Puralpha, Purbeta, and MSY1 do not require the participation of DNA. Combinatorial interactions between these three single-stranded DNA-binding proteins may be important in regulating activity of the smooth muscle alpha-actin MCAT enhancer in fibroblasts.

The predictive validity of the BioMedical Admissions Test for pre-clinical examination performance.

PubMed

Emery, Joanne L; Bell, John F

2009-06-01

Some medical courses in the UK have many more applicants than places and almost all applicants have the highest possible previous and predicted examination grades. The BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT) was designed to assist in the student selection process specifically for a number of 'traditional' medical courses with clear pre-clinical and clinical phases and a strong focus on science teaching in the early years. It is intended to supplement the information provided by examination results, interviews and personal statements. This paper reports on the predictive validity of the BMAT and its predecessor, the Medical and Veterinary Admissions Test. Results from the earliest 4 years of the test (2000-2003) were matched to the pre-clinical examination results of those accepted onto the medical course at the University of Cambridge. Correlation and logistic regression analyses were performed for each cohort. Section 2 of the test ('Scientific Knowledge') correlated more strongly with examination marks than did Section 1 ('Aptitude and Skills'). It also had a stronger relationship with the probability of achieving the highest examination class. The BMAT and its predecessor demonstrate predictive validity for the pre-clinical years of the medical course at the University of Cambridge. The test identifies important differences in skills and knowledge between candidates, not shown by their previous attainment, which predict their examination performance. It is thus a valid source of additional admissions information for medical courses with a strong scientific emphasis when previous attainment is very high.

Computerized test versus personal interview as admission methods for graduate nursing studies: A retrospective cohort study.

PubMed

Hazut, Koren; Romem, Pnina; Malkin, Smadar; Livshiz-Riven, Ilana

2016-12-01

The purpose of this study was to compare the predictive validity, economic efficiency, and faculty staff satisfaction of a computerized test versus a personal interview as admission methods for graduate nursing studies. A mixed method study was designed, including cross-sectional and retrospective cohorts, interviews, and cost analysis. One hundred and thirty-four students in the Master of Nursing program participated. The success of students in required core courses was similar in both admission method groups. The personal interview method was found to be a significant predictor of success, with cognitive variables the only significant contributors to the model. Higher satisfaction levels were reported with the computerized test compared with the personal interview method. The cost of the personal interview method, in annual hourly work, was 2.28 times higher than the computerized test. These findings may promote discussion regarding the cost benefit of the personal interview as an admission method for advanced academic studies in healthcare professions. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Validity of GRE General Test Scores and TOEFL Scores for Graduate Admission to a Technical University in Western Europe

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zimmermann, Judith; von Davier, Alina A.; Buhmann, Joachim M.; Heinimann, Hans R.

2018-01-01

Graduate admission has become a critical process in tertiary education, whereby selecting valid admissions instruments is key. This study assessed the validity of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores for admission to Master's programmes at a technical university in Europe. We investigated the indicative value of GRE scores for the…

Can Computerized Adaptive Testing Work in Students' Admission to Higher Education Programs in Turkey?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kalender, Ilker; Berberoglu, Giray

2017-01-01

Admission into university in Turkey is very competitive and features a number of practical problems regarding not only the test administration process itself, but also concerning the psychometric properties of test scores. Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is seen as a possible alternative approach to solve these problems. In the first phase of…

HIV testing for acute medical admissions: evaluation of a pilot study in Leicester, England.

PubMed

Palfreeman, Adrian; Nyatsanza, Farai; Farn, Helen; McKinnon, Graham; Schober, Paul; McNally, Paul

2013-06-01

The 2008 UK National Guidelines for HIV testing recommended HIV testing should be offered to all general medical admissions aged 16-60 years in high prevalence areas, and that this should be evaluated to ensure this was effective in diagnosing previously undiagnosed HIV. HIV testing was introduced as a routine test for all patients admitted to the acute medical admissions unit, comparisons were made between the testing rates before, during and after this intervention. The pilot was initiated in August 2009. Prior to the pilot the unit was carrying out 15 tests per month. However, when the pilot was introduced 82 tests were being carried out per month with a total of 10 new diagnoses since the start of the pilot. The proportion of patients tested versus those eligible for testing remained low varying between 6% and 22% month by month. 10 patients we found to be HIV positive with a prevalence of approximately 1%, 10 fold higher than the cut off for cost effectiveness used in the guidelines. Overall the pilot showed that HIV testing could be delivered without the use of extra resources and is acceptable to patients.

Rationalization and Student/School Personhood in U.S. College Admissions: The Rise of Test-Optional Policies, 1987 to 2015

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Furuta, Jared

2017-01-01

This article examines the rise of "test-optional" college admissions policies since the 1990s. I argue that the rationalization of college admissions policies after World War II contributed to the rise of "meritocratic" stratification (in policy) and standardized tests, like the SAT, but it also led to the expansion and…

Quality of Education Outcomes: The Role of the Graduate Management Admission Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wamala, Robert; Buyinza, Mukadasi

2013-01-01

Although the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is considered by leading business institutions worldwide as a predictor of success in graduate programs, an issue of contention is whether the introduction of the examination enhances the quality of education outcomes. This study sought to obtain an understanding of this issue, focusing on…

On the Validity of Repeated Assessments in the UMAT, a High-Stakes Admissions Test

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Andrich, David; Styles, Irene; Mercer, Annette; Puddey, Ian B.

2017-01-01

The possibility that the validity of assessment is compromised by repeated sittings of highly competitive and high profile selection tests has been documented and is of concern to stake-holders. An illustrative example is the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test (UMAT) used by some medical and dental courses in Australia and…

A quality study of family-centered care coordination to improve care for children undergoing tracheostomy and the quality of life for their caregivers.

PubMed

Hartnick, Christopher; Diercks, Gillian; De Guzman, Vanessa; Hartnick, Elizabeth; Van Cleave, Jeanne; Callans, Kevin

2017-08-01

Approximately 4000 U.S. children undergo tracheostomy yearly [1], and these surgeries often result in hospital re-admissions that have definite cost and caregiver burdens due to complications that are avoidable with proper training and support. To assess the impact of a Family-Centered Care Coordination (FCCC) program on the quality of care received by children undergoing tracheostomy and their caregivers. Caregivers of children undergoing tracheostomies from January 2012 to January 2013 and then a different set of caregivers of children undergoing tracheostomies from January 2015 to January 2016 completed both the Pediatric Tracheostomy Health Status Instrument (PTHSI) 1 month after discharge and the Medical Complications Associated with Pediatric Tracheostomy (MCAT) questionnaire 6 months after initial tracheostomy. To assess complication rates, these same sets of caregivers were asked to complete the MCAT and only those who provided complete medical data for all 6 months were included for comparative analysis. The PTHSI and MCAT were administered at Massachusetts Eye and Ear in a hospital setting. Ten caregivers of children undergoing tracheostomies completed the PTHSI before FCCC program implementation and12 caregivers then completed the PTHSI after FCCC implementation. For each of the 2 groups, 5 caregivers provided complete data on the MCAT questionnaires. FCCC is a collection of programs, policies, and tools designed to ensure safe transition home for children undergoing tracheostomies, reduce re-admission rates, and minimize "caregiver burden". The PTHSI is a validated caregiver quality of life instrument that was supplemented by the MCAT which records post-discharge medical issues following tracheostomy that relate specifically to the tracheotomy placement. The time to first follow-up appointment decreased from 6.4 weeks (SD = 1.52) to 6 days (SD = 0.18) with FCCC implementation. The total MCAT scores decreased from 15.2 (SD = 1.1) to 1.3 (SD = 1

Reflections on a Century of College Admissions Tests. Research & Occasional Paper Series: CSHE.4.09

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Atkinson, Richard C.; Geiser, Saul

2009-01-01

Standardized testing for college admissions has grown exponentially since the first administration of the old "College Boards" in 1901. This paper surveys major developments since then: the introduction of the "Scholastic Aptitude Test" in 1926, designed to tap students' general analytic ability; E.F. Lindquist's creation of…

Admission to Law School: New Measures

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Shultz, Marjorie M.; Zedeck, Sheldon

2012-01-01

Standardized tests have been increasingly controversial over recent years in high-stakes admission decisions. Their role in operationalizing definitions of merit and qualification is especially contested, but in law schools this challenge has become particularly intense. Law schools have relied on the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) and an INDEX…

Comparison of clock drawing with Mini Mental State Examination as a screening test in elderly acute hospital admissions.

PubMed Central

Death, J.; Douglas, A.; Kenny, R. A.

1993-01-01

Clock drawing is a quick, easy to remember test that is well received by patients. It is a good screening test for Alzheimer's disease in the outpatient setting. We evaluated its usefulness compared with the standard Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) in elderly acute medical and surgical hospital admissions. Within 48 hours of admission, 117 patients over 70 years old were administered the MMSE and asked to draw a clock. Using the MMSE as the standard, clock drawing had a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 87%. Patients with discrepant scores were then further evaluated. The findings suggest that normal clock drawing ability reasonably excludes cognitive impairment or other causes of an abnormal MMSE in elderly acute medical and surgical hospital admissions, where cognitive impairment is common and frequently missed. PMID:8255833

Redundancy, Discrimination and Corruption in the Multibillion-Dollar Business of College Admissions Testing

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rizzo, Monica Ellen

2012-01-01

Most American colleges and universities require standardized entrance exams when making admissions decisions. Scores on these exams help determine if, when and where students will be allowed to pursue higher education. These scores are also used to determine eligibility for merit based financial aid. This testing persists even though half of the…

Undergraduate GPAs, MCAT scores, and academic performance the first 2 years in podiatric medical school at Des Moines University.

PubMed

Yoho, Robert M; Antonopoulos, Kosta; Vardaxis, Vassilios

2012-01-01

This study was performed to determine the relationship between undergraduate academic performance and total Medical College Admission Test score and academic performance in the podiatric medical program at Des Moines University. The allopathic and osteopathic medical professions have published educational research examining this relationship. To our knowledge, no such educational research has been published for podiatric medical education. The undergraduate cumulative and science grade point averages and total Medical College Admission Test scores of four podiatric medical classes (2007-2010, N = 169) were compared with their academic performance in the first 2 years of podiatric medical school using pairwise Pearson product moment correlations and multiple regression analysis. Significant low to moderate positive correlations were identified between undergraduate cumulative and science grade point averages and student academic performance in years 1 and 2 of podiatric medical school for each of the four classes (except one) and the pooled data. There was no significant correlation between Medical College Admission Test score and academic performance in years 1 and 2 (except one) and the pooled data. These results identify undergraduate cumulative grade point average as the strongest cognitive admissions variable in predicting academic performance in the podiatric medicine program at Des Moines University, followed by undergraduate science grade point average. These results also suggest limitations of the total Medical College Admission Test score in predicting academic performance. Information from this study can be used in the admissions process and to monitor student progress.

The Pre-Health Collection within MedEdPORTAL's iCollaborative: Helping Faculty Prepare Students for the Competencies in the New MCAT[superscript 2015] Exam

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jakubowski, Henry V.; Zapanta, Laura S.

2013-01-01

To help faculty prepare and revise courses in all the disciplines represented in the MCAT[superscript 2015], the American Association of Medical Colleges, through its MedEdPORTAL's iCollaborative, has established the Pre-health Collection, a repository of reviewed web resources that are openly and freely available to faculty, and indirectly…

Test-Optional Admission Policies and Their Effect on the Composition of the Student Body at King's College

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Schmude, Michelle

2011-01-01

This study examined test-optional admission policies and their effect on the composition of the student body at King's College. According to the College Board (2009), students from underrepresented populations do not perform as well as White students on standardized tests. Therefore, higher education institutions have established test-optional…

Biology and Physics Competencies for Pre-Health and Other Life Sciences Students

PubMed Central

Hilborn, Robert C.; Friedlander, Michael J.

2013-01-01

The recent report on the Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians (SFFP) and the revised Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) reframe the preparation for medical school (and other health professional schools) in terms of competencies: what students should know and be able to do with that knowledge, with a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry and research skills. In this article, we will describe the thinking that went into the SFFP report and what it says about scientific and quantitative reasoning, focusing on biology and physics and the overlap between those fields. We then discuss how the SFFP report set the stage for the discussion of the recommendations for the revised MCAT, which will be implemented in 2015, again focusing the discussion on biology and physics. Based on that framework, we discuss the implications for undergraduate biology and physics education if students are to be prepared to demonstrate these competencies. PMID:23737625

Biology and physics competencies for pre-health and other life sciences students.

PubMed

Hilborn, Robert C; Friedlander, Michael J

2013-06-01

The recent report on the Scientific Foundations for Future Physicians (SFFP) and the revised Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) reframe the preparation for medical school (and other health professional schools) in terms of competencies: what students should know and be able to do with that knowledge, with a strong emphasis on scientific inquiry and research skills. In this article, we will describe the thinking that went into the SFFP report and what it says about scientific and quantitative reasoning, focusing on biology and physics and the overlap between those fields. We then discuss how the SFFP report set the stage for the discussion of the recommendations for the revised MCAT, which will be implemented in 2015, again focusing the discussion on biology and physics. Based on that framework, we discuss the implications for undergraduate biology and physics education if students are to be prepared to demonstrate these competencies.

The New Medical College Admission Test: Implications for Teaching Psychology

PubMed Central

Mitchell, Karen; Satterfield, Jason; Lewis, Richard S.; Hong, Barry A.

2017-01-01

This year’s applicants to medical school took a newly revised version of the Medical College Admission Test. Unlike applicants in the past, they were asked to demonstrate their knowledge and use of concepts commonly taught in introductory psychology courses. The new Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test asked applicants to demonstrate the ways in which psychological, social, and biological factors influence perceptions and reactions to the world; behavior and behavior change; what people think about themselves and others; the cultural and social differences that influence well-being; and the relationships among social stratification, access to resources, and well-being. Building from the classic biopsychosocial model, this article provides the rationale for testing psychology concepts in application to medical school. It describes the concepts and skills that the new exam tests and shows how they lay the foundation for learning in medical school about the behavioral and sociocultural determinants of health. This article discusses the implications of these changes for undergraduate psychology faculty and psychology curricula as well as their importance to the profession of psychology at large. PMID:26866988

Shifting the Curve: Fostering Academic Success in a Diverse Student Body.

PubMed

Elks, Martha L; Herbert-Carter, Janice; Smith, Marjorie; Klement, Brenda; Knight, Brandi Brandon; Anachebe, Ngozi F

2018-01-01

Diversity in the health care workforce is key to achieving health equity. Although U.S. medical schools have worked to increase the matriculation and academic success of underrepresented minority (URM) students (African Americans, Latinos, others), they have had only limited success. Lower standardized test scores, including on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), have been a barrier to matriculation for many URM applicants. Lower subsequent standardized exam scores, including on the United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 1, also have been an impediment to students' progress, with mean scores for URM students lagging behind those for others. Faculty at the Morehouse School of Medicine developed and implemented interventions to enhance the academic success of their URM students (about 75% are African American, and 5% are from other URM groups). To assess the outcomes of this work, the authors analyzed the MCAT scores and subsequent Step 1 scores of students in the graduating classes of 2009-2014. They also reviewed course evaluations, Graduation Questionnaires, and student and faculty interviews and focus groups. Students' Step 1 scores exceeded those expected based on their MCAT scores. This success was due to three key elements: (1) milieu and mentoring, (2) structure and content of the curriculum, and (3) monitoring. A series of mixed-method studies are planned to better discern the core elements of faculty-student relationships that are key to students' success. Lower test scores are not a fixed attribute; with the elements described, success is attainable for all students.

The Role of Noncognitive Assessment in Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoerle, Heather

2014-01-01

Confident that understanding and employing new approaches to assessment is a top priority for admissions professionals, the Secondary School Admission Test Board (SSATB) recently launched a Think Tank on the Future of Admission Assessment, with a two-year timeline and a charge to educate its membership and inspire greater innovation in admissions…

Predictors of scoring at least 600 on COMLEX-USA Level 1: successful preparation strategies.

PubMed

Vora, Aditya; Maltezos, Nathan; Alfonzo, Lauren; Hernandez, Nilda; Calix, Erica; Fernandez, M Isabel

2013-02-01

Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 scores are an important criterion used by residency directors to make residency placement decisions. To explore the association between scoring at least 600 on COMLEX-USA Level 1 and grade point average (GPA), scores on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), and different test preparation strategies. Third-year osteopathic medical students at Nova Southeastern University were invited to complete a self-administered survey regarding their COMLEX-USA preparation strategies and to provide consent for the researchers to access their preclinical GPA and their MCAT and COMLEX-USA scores. Descriptive analyses were conducted to understand examination preparation procedures and resources used, and bivariate analyses were conducted to identify the statisically significant predictors of scoring 600 or higher. Two separate logistic regressions were also run. The first included all of the statisically significant factors that emerged from the bivariate analyses, and the second examined which candidate predictors remained statistically significant once the effects of GPA and MCAT scores were removed. One hundred twenty-two students completed the survey, and 113 (93%) provided informed consent to access their preclinical GPA and their MCAT and COMLEX-USA scores. In the first regression, scoring 600 or higher was associated with a higher GPA (P<.02), a higher MCAT score (P<.05), earlier preparation initiation (P<.05), and not ranking the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Self-Assessment Examination (COMSAE) as the most helpful practice examination (P<.04). In the second regression, scoring 600 or higher was associated with earlier initiation of examination preparation (P<.01) and not ranking COMBANK (question bank for COMLEX-USA) as the most helpful question bank (P<.03). Among the different examination preparation methods, the specific resources ranked as most helpful were First Aid for the USMLE

Students' perceived experience of university admission based on tests and interviews.

PubMed

Röding, K; Nordenram, G

2005-11-01

The aim of the study was to generate an impression, from the perspective of graduating dental students, of the individualised admissions procedures, which they had undergone 5 years before. The subjects comprised 10 randomly selected students, five male and five female, from two different admission rounds. Qualitative research was used and data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews. The results show that even 5 years later, the students remember clearly the different steps in the selection procedure and they found the procedure relevant. In particular, the admission interviews made a lasting impression. The students consider that being interviewed by one admissions committee member at a time reduces the applicant's apprehension and allows a more personal interview. Several believe that the admissions procedure influences academic achievement or improves self-confidence: implicit in their selection by a committee of experienced professionals is affirmation that they have the potential to become good dentists. The students therefore feel encouraged to aspire to higher achievement. All students believe that motivation is an important non-cognitive attribute for success and that students selected through this mode are not only highly motivated but also well informed, with realistic expectations of the undergraduate programme and their future professional career.

Older medical students' performances at McGill University.

PubMed

Feil, D; Kristian, M; Mitchell, N

1998-01-01

To compare admission data and academic performances of medical students younger and older than 25, and to qualify older students' experiences and perceptions in medical school. The authors reviewed 1988-1991 data for applications to the McGill University Faculty of Medicine. Data included GPAs and MCAT scores, as well as ratings for reference letters, autobiographical statements, and interviews. For those same years, the authors measured students' academic performances in the preclinical and clinical years. The authors compared the data by students' age: "younger" students, aged 17 to 24; and "older" students, aged 25 and above. All enrolled students took the Derogatis Stress Profile, and the older students participated in focus groups. The older applicants had lower GPAs and MCAT scores, but higher interview and reference letter ratings. For older accepted students, basic science course scores were lower than those of younger students, but clinical scores did not differ significantly between the groups. The two groups had similar stress levels, although older students tested lower in driven behavior, relaxation potential, attitude posture, and hostility. In focus groups, the older students spoke of learning style differences, loss of social support, and loss of professional identity. Different scores in admission criteria suggest that McGill uses different standards to select older medical students. Older students admitted under different criteria, however, do just as well as do younger students by their clinical years. A broad-based study of admission criteria and outcomes for the older student population is warranted.

Is the admission test for a course in medicine a good predictor of academic performance? A case-control experience at the school of medicine of Turin.

PubMed

Migliaretti, Giuseppe; Bozzaro, Salvatore; Siliquini, Roberta; Stura, Ilaria; Costa, Giuseppe; Cavallo, Franco

2017-12-01

The usefulness of university admission tests to medical schools has been discussed in recent years. In the academic year 2014-15 in Italy, several students who failed the admission test appealed to the regional administrative court ('Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale'-TAR) requesting to be included, despite their test results, and all were admitted to their respective courses. The existence of this population of students generated a control group, in order to evaluate the predictive capacity of the admission test. The aim of the present work is to discuss the ability of university admission tests to predict subsequent academic success. The study involved 683 students who enrolled onto the first year of the degree course in medicine in the academic year 2014-15 at the University of Turin (Molinette and San Luigi Gonzaga colleges). The students were separated into two categories: those who passed the admission test (n1=531) and those who did not pass the admission test but won their appeal in the TAR (n2=152). The validity of the admission test was analysed using specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LH+, LH-), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the ROC curve (AUC), and relative (95% CI). The results showed that the admission test appeared to be a good tool for predicting the academic performances in the first year of the course (AUC=0.70, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.76). Moreover, some subject areas seemed to have a greater discriminating capacity than others. In general, students who obtained a high score in scientific questions were more likely to obtain the required standards during the first year (LH+ 1.22, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.25). Based on a consistent statistical approach, our study seems to confirm the ability of the admission test to predict academic success in the first year at the school of medicine of Turin. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All

Profile of Graduate Management Admission Test[R] Candidates 2007-08 to 2011-12: Five-Year Summary

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Graduate Management Admission Council, 2012

2012-01-01

The 2011-2012 testing year held a number of significant milestones for the Graduate Management Admission Test exam. A total of 286,529 GMAT exams were administered, with 831,337 score reports sent to more than 5,200 graduate-level management programs around the world--all record numbers. This record volume reflects the increase in graduate-level…

Student performance on levels 1 and 2-CE of COMLEX-USA: do elective upper-level undergraduate science courses matter?

PubMed

Wong, Stanley K; Ramirez, Juan R; Helf, Scott C

2009-11-01

The effect of a variety of preadmission variables, including the number of elective preadmission upper-level science courses, on academic achievement is not well established. To investigate the relationship between number of preadmission variables and overall student academic achievement in osteopathic medical school. Academic records of osteopathic medical students in the 2008 and 2009 graduating classes of Western University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific in Pomona, California, were analyzed. Multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of academic achievement based on Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) subscores, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), GPA in medical school basic science (preclinical GPA) and clinical clerkship (clinical GPA), and scores on the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination-USA (COMLEX-USA) Level 1 and Level 2-Cognitive Evaluation (CE). Records of 358 osteopathic medical students were evaluated. Analysis of beta coefficients suggested that undergraduate science GPA was the most important predictor of overall student academic achievement (P<.01). Biological sciences MCAT subscore was a more modest but still statistically significant predictor of preclinical GPA and COMLEX-USA Level 1 score (P<.01). Physical sciences MCAT subscore was also a statistically significant predictor of preclinical GPA, and verbal reasoning MCAT subscore was a statistically significant predictor of COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE score (both P<.01). Women had statistically significantly higher preclinical GPA and COMLEX-USA Level 2-CE scores than men (P<.05). Differences in some outcome variables were also associated with racial-ethnic background and age. Number of preadmission elective upper-level science courses taken by students before matriculation was not significantly correlated with any academic achievement variable. Although undergraduate science GPA and MCAT biological

The new Medical College Admission Test: Implications for teaching psychology.

PubMed

Mitchell, Karen; Lewis, Richard S; Satterfield, Jason; Hong, Barry A

2016-01-01

This year's applicants to medical school took a newly revised version of the Medical College Admission Test. Unlike applicants in the past, they were asked to demonstrate their knowledge and use of concepts commonly taught in introductory psychology courses. The new Psychological, Social, and Biological Foundations of Behavior Test asked applicants to demonstrate the ways in which psychological, social, and biological factors influence perceptions and reactions to the world; behavior and behavior change; what people think about themselves and others; the cultural and social differences that influence well-being; and the relationships among social stratification, access to resources, and well-being. Building from the classic biopsychosocial model, this article provides the rationale for testing psychology concepts in application to medical school. It describes the concepts and skills that the new exam tests and shows how they lay the foundation for learning in medical school about the behavioral and sociocultural determinants of health. This article discusses the implications of these changes for undergraduate psychology faculty and psychology curricula as well as their importance to the profession of psychology at large. (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Admissions Policies: Side Effects and their Implications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Campbell, David P.

1971-01-01

Examines the effects of using standardized achievement test scores as primary admission criteria for college admission on the birth order composition of the professions and the range of vocational interests in the general educated public. (JM)

A social and academic enrichment program promotes medical school matriculation and graduation for disadvantaged students.

PubMed

Keith, L; Hollar, D

2012-07-01

This study assessed the impact of a pre-medical pipeline program on successful completion of medical school and the capacity of this program to address achievement gaps experienced by disadvantaged students. The University of North Carolina (USA) Medical Education Development (MED) program provides intensive academic and test skills preparation for admission to medical, dental, and other allied health professions schools. This retrospective study evaluated the academic progress of a longitudinal sample of 1738 disadvantaged college students who completed MED between 1974 and 2001. Data sources included MED participant data, medical school admissions data for the host school, aggregate data from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and individual MED participant data from AAMC. Methods of analysis utilized Chi-square, independent samples t test, and logistic regression to examine associations between factors. Of the 935 students in MED from 1974 to 2001, who had indicated an interest in medical school, 887 (94.9%) successfully matriculated and 801 (85.7%) successfully earned the MD degree. Using logistic regression, factors that were significantly correlated with earning the medical degree included the student's race, college undergraduate total and science grade point averages, with Hispanic, African American, and Native American participants earning the medical degree at rates comparable to Caucasian participants. MED students successfully earned the MD degree despite having significantly lower Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) scores and undergraduate grade point averages compared to all United States medical school applicants: MCAT scores had little relationship with student's success. These findings suggest that an intensive, nine-week, pre-medical academic enrichment program that incorporates confidence-building and small-group tutoring and peer support activities can build a foundation on which disadvantaged students can successfully earn

NASA's Newest Orbital Debris Ground-based Telescope Assets: MCAT and UKIRT

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lederer, S. M.; Frith, J. M.; Pace, L. F.; Cowardin, H. M.; Cowardin, H. M.; Hickson, P.; Glesne, T.; Maeda, R.; Buckalew, B.; Nishimoto, D.;

Evaluation of the impact of fetal fibronectin test implementation on hospital admissions for preterm labour in Ontario: a multiple baseline time-series design.

PubMed

Fell, D B; Sprague, A E; Grimshaw, J M; Yasseen, A S; Coyle, D; Dunn, S I; Perkins, S L; Peterson, W E; Johnson, M; Bunting, P S; Walker, M C

2014-03-01

To determine the impact of a health system-wide fetal fibronectin (fFN) testing programme on the rates of hospital admission for preterm labour (PTL). Multiple baseline time-series design. Canadian province of Ontario. A retrospective population-based cohort of antepartum and delivered obstetrical admissions in all Ontario hospitals between 1 April 2002 and 31 March 2010. International Classification of Diseases codes in a health system-wide hospital administrative database were used to identify the study population and define the outcome measure. An aggregate time series of monthly rates of hospital admissions for PTL was analysed using segmented regression models after aligning the fFN test implementation date for each institution. Rate of obstetrical hospital admission for PTL. Estimated rates of hospital admission for PTL following fFN implementation were lower than predicted had pre-implementation trends prevailed. The reduction in the rate was modest, but statistically significant, when estimated at 12 months following fFN implementation (-0.96 hospital admissions for PTL per 100 preterm births; 95% confidence interval [CI], -1.02 to -0.90, P = 0.04). The statistically significant reduction was sustained at 24 and 36 months following implementation. Using a robust quasi-experimental study design to overcome confounding as a result of underlying secular trends or concurrent interventions, we found evidence of a small but statistically significant reduction in the health system-level rate of hospital admissions for PTL following implementation of fFN testing in a large Canadian province. © 2013 Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

Cloning and characterization of the mouse alpha1C/A-adrenergic receptor gene and analysis of an alpha1C promoter in cardiac myocytes: role of an MCAT element that binds transcriptional enhancer factor-1 (TEF-1).

PubMed

O'Connell, T D; Rokosh, D G; Simpson, P C

2001-05-01

alpha1-Adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes in the heart are expressed by myocytes but not by fibroblasts, a feature that distinguishes alpha1-ARs from beta-ARs. Here we studied myocyte-specific expression of alpha1-ARs, focusing on the subtype alpha1C (also called alpha1A), a subtype implicated in cardiac hypertrophic signaling in rat models. We first cloned the mouse alpha1C-AR gene, which consisted of two exons with an 18 kb intron, similar to the alpha1B-AR gene. The receptor coding sequence was >90% homologous to that of rat and human. alpha1C-AR transcription in mouse heart was initiated from a single Inr consensus sequence at -588 from the ATG; this and a putative polyadenylation sequence 8.5 kb 3' could account for the predominant 11 kb alpha1C mRNA in mouse heart. A 5'-nontranscribed fragment of 4.4 kb was active as a promoter in cardiac myocytes but not in fibroblasts. Promoter activity in myocytes required a single muscle CAT (MCAT) element, and this MCAT bound in vitro to recombinant and endogenous transcriptional enhancer factor-1. Thus, alpha1C-AR transcription in cardiac myocytes shares MCAT dependence with other cardiac-specific genes, including the alpha- and beta-myosin heavy chains, skeletal alpha-actin, and brain natriuretic peptide. However, the mouse alpha1C gene was not transcribed in the neonatal heart and was not activated by alpha1-AR and other hypertrophic agonists in rat myocytes, and thus differed from other MCAT-dependent genes and the rat alpha1C gene.

High cancer-specific expression of mesothelin (MSLN) is attributable to an upstream enhancer containing a transcription enhancer factor dependent MCAT motif.

PubMed

Hucl, Tomas; Brody, Jonathan R; Gallmeier, Eike; Iacobuzio-Donahue, Christine A; Farrance, Iain K; Kern, Scott E

2007-10-01

Identification of genes with cancer-specific overexpression offers the potential to efficiently discover cancer-specific activities in an unbiased manner. We apply this paradigm to study mesothelin (MSLN) overexpression, a nearly ubiquitous, diagnostically and therapeutically useful characteristic of pancreatic cancer. We identified an 18-bp upstream enhancer, termed CanScript, strongly activating transcription from an otherwise weak tissue-nonspecific promoter and operating selectively in cells having aberrantly elevated cancer-specific MSLN transcription. Introducing mutations into CanScript showed two functionally distinct sites: an Sp1-like site and an MCAT element. Gel retardation and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed the MCAT element to be bound by transcription enhancer factor (TEF)-1 (TEAD1) in vitro and in vivo. The presence of TEF-1 was required for MSLN protein overexpression as determined by TEF-1 knockdown experiments. The cancer specificity seemed to be provided by a putative limiting cofactor of TEF-1 that could be outcompeted by exogenous TEF-1 only in a MSLN-overexpressing cell line. A CanScript concatemer offered enhanced activity. These results identify a TEF family member as a major regulator of MSLN overexpression, a fundamental characteristic of pancreatic and other cancers, perhaps due to an upstream and highly frequent aberrant cellular activity. The CanScript sequence represents a modular element for cancer-specific targeting, potentially suitable for nearly a third of human malignancies.

Role of Admission Troponin-T and Serial Troponin-T Testing in Predicting Outcomes in Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock.

PubMed

Vallabhajosyula, Saraschandra; Sakhuja, Ankit; Geske, Jeffrey B; Kumar, Mukesh; Poterucha, Joseph T; Kashyap, Rahul; Kashani, Kianoush; Jaffe, Allan S; Jentzer, Jacob C

2017-09-09

Troponin-T elevation is seen commonly in sepsis and septic shock patients admitted to the intensive care unit. We sought to evaluate the role of admission and serial troponin-T testing in the prognostication of these patients. This was a retrospective cohort study from 2007 to 2014 on patients admitted to the intensive care units at the Mayo Clinic with severe sepsis and septic shock. Elevated admission troponin-T and significant delta troponin-T were defined as ≥0.01 ng/mL and ≥0.03 ng/mL in 3 hours, respectively. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes included 1-year mortality and lengths of stay. During this 8-year period, 944 patients met the inclusion criteria with 845 (90%) having an admission troponin-T ≥0.01 ng/mL. Serial troponin-T values were available in 732 (78%) patients. Elevated admission troponin-T was associated with older age, higher baseline comorbidity, and severity of illness, whereas significant delta troponin-T was associated with higher severity of illness. Admission log 10 troponin-T was associated with unadjusted in-hospital (odds ratio 1.6; P =0.003) and 1-year mortality (odds ratio 1.3; P =0.04), but did not correlate with length of stay. Elevated delta troponin-T and log 10 delta troponin-T were not significantly associated with any of the primary or secondary outcomes. Admission log 10 troponin-T remained an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.4; P =0.04) and 1-year survival (hazard ratio 1.3; P =0.008). In patients with sepsis and septic shock, elevated admission troponin-T was associated with higher short- and long-term mortality. Routine serial troponin-T testing did not add incremental prognostic value in these patients. © 2017 The Authors. Published on behalf of the American Heart Association, Inc., by Wiley.

Shifting the Curve: Fostering Academic Success in a Diverse Student Body

PubMed Central

Herbert-Carter, Janice; Smith, Marjorie; Klement, Brenda; Knight, Brandi Brandon; Anachebe, Ngozi F.

2018-01-01

Problem Diversity in the health care workforce is key to achieving health equity. Although U.S. medical schools have worked to increase the matriculation and academic success of underrepresented minority (URM) students (African Americans, Latinos, others), they have had only limited success. Lower standardized test scores, including on the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), have been a barrier to matriculation for many URM applicants. Lower subsequent standardized exam scores, including on the United States Medical Licensing Exam Step 1, also have been an impediment to students’ progress, with mean scores for URM students lagging behind those for others. Approach Faculty at the Morehouse School of Medicine developed and implemented interventions to enhance the academic success of their URM students (about 75% are African American, and 5% are from other URM groups). To assess the outcomes of this work, the authors analyzed the MCAT scores and subsequent Step 1 scores of students in the graduating classes of 2009–2014. They also reviewed course evaluations, Graduation Questionnaires, and student and faculty interviews and focus groups. Outcomes Students’ Step 1 scores exceeded those expected based on their MCAT scores. This success was due to three key elements: (1) milieu and mentoring, (2) structure and content of the curriculum, and (3) monitoring. Next Steps A series of mixed-method studies are planned to better discern the core elements of faculty–student relationships that are key to students’ success. Lower test scores are not a fixed attribute; with the elements described, success is attainable for all students. PMID:28678099

Grade Inflation and Law School Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wongsurawat, Winai

2008-01-01

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the evidence on whether grade inflation has led to an increasing emphasis on standardized test scores as a criterion for law school admissions. Design/methodology/approach: Fit probabilistic models to admissions data for American law schools during the mid to late 1990s, a period during which…

Validity of GRE General Test scores and TOEFL scores for graduate admission to a technical university in Western Europe

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zimmermann, Judith; von Davier, Alina A.; Buhmann, Joachim M.; Heinimann, Hans R.

2018-01-01

Graduate admission has become a critical process in tertiary education, whereby selecting valid admissions instruments is key. This study assessed the validity of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test scores for admission to Master's programmes at a technical university in Europe. We investigated the indicative value of GRE scores for the Master's programme grade point average (GGPA) with and without the addition of the undergraduate GPA (UGPA) and the TOEFL score, and of GRE scores for study completion and Master's thesis performance. GRE scores explained 20% of the variation in the GGPA, while additional 7% were explained by the TOEFL score and 3% by the UGPA. Contrary to common belief, the GRE quantitative reasoning score showed only little explanatory power. GRE scores were also weakly related to study progress but not to thesis performance. Nevertheless, GRE and TOEFL scores were found to be sensible admissions instruments. Rigorous methodology was used to obtain highly reliable results.

Evaluating the validity of an integrity-based situational judgement test for medical school admissions.

PubMed

Husbands, Adrian; Rodgerson, Mark J; Dowell, Jon; Patterson, Fiona

2015-09-02

While the construct of integrity has emerged as a front-runner amongst the desirable attributes to select for in medical school admissions, it is less clear how best to assess this characteristic. A potential solution lies in the use of Situational Judgement Tests (SJTs) which have gained popularity due to robust psychometric evidence and potential for large-scale administration. This study aims to explore the psychometric properties of an SJT designed to measure the construct of integrity. Ten SJT scenarios, each with five response stems were developed from critical incident interviews with academic and clinical staff. 200 of 520 (38.5 %) Multiple Mini Interview candidates at Dundee Medical School participated in the study during the 2012-2013 admissions cycle. Participants were asked to rate the appropriateness of each SJT response on a 4-point likert scale as well as complete the HEXACO personality inventory and a face validity questionnaire. Pearson's correlations and descriptive statistics were used to examine the associations between SJT score, HEXACO personality traits, pre-admissions measures namely academic and United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) scores, as well as acceptability. Cronbach's alpha reliability for the SJT was .64. Statistically significant correlations ranging from .16 to .36 (.22 to .53 disattenuated) were observed between SJT score and the honesty-humility (integrity), conscientiousness, extraversion and agreeableness dimensions of the HEXACO inventory. A significant correlation of .32 (.47 disattenuated) was observed between SJT and MMI scores and no significant relationship with the UKCAT. Participant reactions to the SJTs were generally positive. Initial findings are encouraging regarding the psychometric robustness of an integrity-based SJT for medical student selection, with significant associations found between the SJTs, integrity, other desirable personality traits and the MMI. The SJTs showed little or no redundancy with

Index Blood Tests and National Early Warning Scores within 24 Hours of Emergency Admission Can Predict the Risk of In-Hospital Mortality: A Model Development and Validation Study

PubMed Central

Mohammed, Mohammed A.; Rudge, Gavin; Watson, Duncan; Wood, Gordon; Smith, Gary B.; Prytherch, David R.; Girling, Alan; Stevens, Andrew

2013-01-01

Background We explored the use of routine blood tests and national early warning scores (NEWS) reported within ±24 hours of admission to predict in-hospital mortality in emergency admissions, using empirical decision Tree models because they are intuitive and may ultimately be used to support clinical decision making. Methodology A retrospective analysis of adult emergency admissions to a large acute hospital during April 2009 to March 2010 in the West Midlands, England, with a full set of index blood tests results (albumin, creatinine, haemoglobin, potassium, sodium, urea, white cell count and an index NEWS undertaken within ±24 hours of admission). We developed a Tree model by randomly splitting the admissions into a training (50%) and validation dataset (50%) and assessed its accuracy using the concordance (c-) statistic. Emergency admissions (about 30%) did not have a full set of index blood tests and/or NEWS and so were not included in our analysis. Results There were 23248 emergency admissions with a full set of blood tests and NEWS with an in-hospital mortality of 5.69%. The Tree model identified age, NEWS, albumin, sodium, white cell count and urea as significant (p<0.001) predictors of death, which described 17 homogeneous subgroups of admissions with mortality ranging from 0.2% to 60%. The c-statistic for the training model was 0.864 (95%CI 0.852 to 0.87) and when applied to the testing data set this was 0.853 (95%CI 0.840 to 0.866). Conclusions An easy to interpret validated risk adjustment Tree model using blood test and NEWS taken within ±24 hours of admission provides good discrimination and offers a novel approach to risk adjustment which may potentially support clinical decision making. Given the nature of the clinical data, the results are likely to be generalisable but further research is required to investigate this promising approach. PMID:23734195

School and Individual Factors That Contribute to the Achievement Gap in College Admissions Tests in Chile

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Perez Mejias, Paulina

2012-01-01

In Chile, reports and research papers have shown that there is an achievement gap in college admissions tests mostly associated to students' gender, socioeconomic status and type of school attended. This gap represents a barrier for low-income and female students to access higher education, as well as for graduates of public schools. Prior studies…

Norm-Referenced Tests and Race-Blind Admissions: The Case for Eliminating the SAT and ACT at the University of California. Research & Occasional Paper Series: CSHE.15.17

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geiser, Saul

2017-01-01

Of all college admission criteria, scores on nationally normed tests like the SAT and ACT are most affected by the socioeconomic background of the student. The effect of socioeconomic background on test scores has grown substantially at University of California over the past two decades, and tests have become more of a barrier to admission of…

Analysis of Factors that Predict Clinical Performance in Medical School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Casey B.; Dey, Eric L.; Fantone, Joseph C.

2009-01-01

Academic achievement indices including GPAs and MCAT scores are used to predict the spectrum of medical student academic performance types. However, use of these measures ignores two changes influencing medical school admissions: student diversity and affirmative action, and an increased focus on communication skills. To determine if GPA and MCAT…

[Influence of postcode on paediatric admissions in Seville].

PubMed

Tornero Patricio, Sebastián; Charris-Castro, Liliana; Granero Asencio, Mercedes; Daponte Codina, Antonio

2017-12-01

The postcode (where the home is situated) is an indicator of socioeconomic status and is associated with morbidity, mortality, and the use of health services. The aim of this study was to analyse its effects on paediatric admissions and to determine the rates of the most common causes of paediatric admissions in Seville. An observational cross-sectional study with two analysis units: under 15 year-old "admissions" in public hospitals in Seville (n=2,660) and "city districts" of Seville (n=11). The independent variable analysed was whether the postcode of the admitted patients was within a Regional Government designated "area with social transformation needs". The analysis of the admissions was performed using X 2 -test, Fisher test and Student-t test, with the description of rates using the calculation of crude and specific rates, and by rate ratio. Children living in districts with a lower socioeconomic status were on average 7 months younger (P<.001), and they were significantly more likely to be admitted via the emergency department (P<.001). There was no statistical difference detected in either the length of hospital stay or mortality. The crude admission rate ratio was higher in districts with a lower socioeconomic status (1.8), with a higher specific rate ratio detected in admissions due to asthma, respiratory infections, inguinal hernia, and epilepsy/convulsions. Paediatric hospital admission rates of the main diagnoses were higher in districts with a lower socioeconomic status. Children living in these districts were more likely to be admitted younger and via the emergency department. Copyright © 2016 Asociación Española de Pediatría. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Adaptive Admissions Process for Effective and Fair Graduate Admission

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zimmermann, Judith; von Davier, Alina; Heinimann, Hans Rudolf

2017-01-01

Purpose: Graduate admission has become a critical process for quality assurance in tertiary education. Hitherto, most research has investigated the validity of admissions instruments. However, surprisingly little work has been conducted on the overall organization of admission, which often remains "informal, ad hoc, and lacking in…

Predictive validity of pre-admission assessments on medical student performance.

PubMed

Dabaliz, Al-Awwab; Kaadan, Samy; Dabbagh, M Marwan; Barakat, Abdulaziz; Shareef, Mohammad Abrar; Al-Tannir, Mohamad; Obeidat, Akef; Mohamed, Ayman

2017-11-24

To examine the predictive validity of pre-admission variables on students' performance in a medical school in Saudi Arabia. In this retrospective study, we collected admission and college performance data for 737 students in preclinical and clinical years. Data included high school scores and other standardized test scores, such as those of the National Achievement Test and the General Aptitude Test. Additionally, we included the scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams. Those datasets were then compared with college performance indicators, namely the cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) and progress test, using multivariate linear regression analysis. In preclinical years, both the National Achievement Test (p=0.04, B=0.08) and TOEFL (p=0.017, B=0.01) scores were positive predictors of cGPA, whereas the General Aptitude Test (p=0.048, B=-0.05) negatively predicted cGPA. Moreover, none of the pre-admission variables were predictive of progress test performance in the same group. On the other hand, none of the pre-admission variables were predictive of cGPA in clinical years. Overall, cGPA strongly predict-ed students' progress test performance (p<0.001 and B=19.02). Only the National Achievement Test and TOEFL significantly predicted performance in preclinical years. However, these variables do not predict progress test performance, meaning that they do not predict the functional knowledge reflected in the progress test. We report various strengths and deficiencies in the current medical college admission criteria, and call for employing more sensitive and valid ones that predict student performance and functional knowledge, especially in the clinical years.

Nationwide Chains May Shake Up Admissions-Counseling Industry.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gose, Ben

1999-01-01

For-profit college-admissions counseling and college-preparation companies are expanding, and existing test-preparation centers are planning to begin offering admissions-counseling services. One company envisions a national chain. Some educators welcome the trend, while others feel the commercial enterprises may take an inappropriate approach to…

Performance on physical function tests and the risk of fractures and admissions: Findings from a national health screening of 557,648 community-dwelling older adults.

PubMed

Chun, So Hyun; Cho, Belong; Yang, Hyung-Kook; Ahn, Eunmi; Han, Min Kyu; Oh, Bumjo; Shin, Dong Wook; Son, Ki Young

Falls and fractures in older adults are often preventable, yet remain major health concerns as comprehensive physical function assessment may not be readily available. This study investigated whether simple timed up and go test (TUG) and unipedal stance test (UST) are effective in identifying people with an increased risk of fractures, femoral fractures, or admissions due to femoral fractures. Community-dwelling Korean older adults aged 66 years participated in the Korean National Screening Program for the Transitional Ages (n=557,648) between 2007 and 2010. Overall fractures, femoral fractures, and admissions due to femoral fracture during this period were outcome measures. The outcome measures were overall fractures, femoral fractures, and admissions due to femoral fracture after the health screening. The associations between inferior physical function test results and outcome measures were evaluated. A total of 523,502 subjects were followed-up for a mean period of 1.42 years, which resulted in 12,965 subjects with any fractures. Fracture data were retrieved from medical claims record. Subjects who performed poorly on one or both of the two physical function tests experienced higher number of overall fractures (aHR 1.21, 95% CI: 1.16-1.26), femoral fractures (aHR 1.80, 95% CI: 1.59-2.17), and admissions due to femoral fractures (aHR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.55-2.22) as compared to subjects with normal results on both tests. Combining TUG and UST was not superior to performing UST alone in predicting the increased risk of overall fractures (p=0.347), femoral fractures (p=0.402) or admissions due to femoral fractures (p=0.774). Poor performance on physical performance tests is associated with a higher risk of overall fractures, femoral fractures and admissions due to femoral fractures. The TUG and UST can be used to identify community-dwelling older individuals who are more vulnerable to fractures. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

A New Era in Admissions. Focus 7, 1980.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Westoff, Leslie Aldridge

1980-01-01

In this issue on admissions in colleges and universities, the history of the admissions process and trends are outlined, and the current situation of declining enrollments reviewed. The place of testing is discussed briefly, and other factors in selection listed: student background (educational, extracurricular, and ethnic), and student…

Associations of medical student personality and health/wellness characteristics with their medical school performance across the curriculum.

PubMed

Haight, Scott J; Chibnall, John T; Schindler, Debra L; Slavin, Stuart J

2012-04-01

To assess the relationships of cognitive and noncognitive performance predictors to medical student preclinical and clinical performance indicators across medical school years 1 to 3 and to evaluate the association of psychological health/wellness factors with performance. In 2010, the authors conducted a cross-sectional, correlational, retrospective study of all 175 students at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine who had just completed their third (first clinical) year. Students were asked to complete assessments of personality, stress, anxiety, depression, social support, and community cohesion. Performance measures included total Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) score, preclinical academic grades, National Board of Medical Examiners subject exam scores, United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 score, clinical evaluations, and Humanism in Medicine Honor Society nominations. A total of 152 students (87%) participated. MCAT scores predicted cognitive performance indicators (academic tests), whereas personality variables (conscientiousness, extraversion, empathy) predicted noncognitive indicators (clinical evaluations, humanism nominations). Conscientiousness predicted all clinical skills, extraversion predicted clinical skills reflecting interpersonal behavior, and empathy predicted motivation. Health/wellness variables had limited associations with performance. In multivariate analyses that included control for shelf exam scores, conscientiousness predicted clinical evaluations, and extraversion and empathy predicted humanism nominations. This study identified two sets of skills (cognitive, noncognitive) used during medical school, with minimal overlap across the types of performance (e.g., exam performance versus clinical interpersonal skills) they predict. Medical school admission and evaluation efforts may need to be modified to reflect the importance of personality and other noncognitive factors.

An interim report on the MCAT Essay Pilot Project.

PubMed

Koenig, J A; Mitchell, K J

1988-01-01

Results from four pilot administrations of the Medical College Admission Test essay question are reported. Analyses focused on (a) the performance characteristics of sample groups differentiated by gender, size of hometown, race/ethnicity, and dominant language; (b) the relationships between essay scores and academic/demographic characteristics; and (c) the reliability of one 45-minute versus two 30-minute essays. No differences were found for examinees grouped by gender and size of home community. Mean differences among the racial/ethnic groups were explained largely by reading level differences. Differences in essay performance by language group were large and unexplained by reading level differences. No relationship was found between the essay score and the academic/demographic characteristics. Reliability estimates for two 30-minute essays were higher than for one 45-minute essay; however, the 30-minute period yielded writing of poorer quality. Test-retest reliabilities for the 45-minute topics will remain the focus of future studies as will performance by examinees for whom English is a second language. The impact of the essay on the selection process will also be assessed.

[Evaluation of hospital admissions: admission guidelines implementation in a pediatric emergency department].

PubMed

Katz, Manuel; Warshawsky, Sheila S; Rosen, Shirley; Barak, Nurit; Press, Joseph

2004-10-01

To develop and implement locally tailored pediatric admission guidelines for use in a pediatric emergency department and evaluate the appropriateness of admissions based on these guidelines. Our Study was based on the development of admission guidelines by senior physicians, using the Delphi Consensus Process, for use in the Pediatric Emergency Department (PED) at Soroka University Medical Center (Soroka). We evaluated the appropriateness of admissions to the pediatric departments of Soroka on 33 randomly selected days in 1999 and 2000 prior to guideline implementation and 30 randomly selected days in 2001, after guideline implementation. A total of 1037 files were evaluated. A rate of 12.4% inappropriate admissions to the pediatric departments was found based on locally tailored admission guidelines. There was no change in the rate of inappropriate admissions after implementation of admission guidelines in PED. Inappropriate admissions were associated with age above 3 years, hospital stay of two days or less and the season. The main reasons for evaluating an admission as inappropriate were that the admission did not comply with the guidelines and that the case could be managed in an ambulatory setting. There were distinctive differences in the characteristics of the Bedouin and Jewish populations admitted to the pediatric departments, although no difference was found in the rate of inappropriate admissions between these populations. Patient management in Soroka PED is tailored to the conditions of this medical center and to the characteristics of the population it serves. The admission guidelines developed reflect these special conditions. Lack of change in the rate of inappropriate admissions following implementation of the guidelines indicates that the guidelines reflect the physicians' approach to patient management that existed in Soroka PED prior to guideline implementation. Hospital admission guidelines have a role in the health management system; however

Admission, Heal Thyself: A Prescription for Reclaiming College Admission as a Profession

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jump, Jim

2004-01-01

Is college admission a business or a profession? This question is timeless because no issue (with possible exception of the perennial debate about whether admission(s) is singular or plural) sparks as much passion among admission practitioners, and it is timely because many of the controversial issues found in college admission today beg the…

Predictive validity of pre-admission assessments on medical student performance

PubMed Central

Dabaliz, Al-Awwab; Kaadan, Samy; Dabbagh, M. Marwan; Barakat, Abdulaziz; Shareef, Mohammad Abrar; Al-Tannir, Mohamad; Obeidat, Akef

2017-01-01

Objectives To examine the predictive validity of pre-admission variables on students’ performance in a medical school in Saudi Arabia.  Methods In this retrospective study, we collected admission and college performance data for 737 students in preclinical and clinical years. Data included high school scores and other standardized test scores, such as those of the National Achievement Test and the General Aptitude Test. Additionally, we included the scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams. Those datasets were then compared with college performance indicators, namely the cumulative Grade Point Average (cGPA) and progress test, using multivariate linear regression analysis. Results In preclinical years, both the National Achievement Test (p=0.04, B=0.08) and TOEFL (p=0.017, B=0.01) scores were positive predictors of cGPA, whereas the General Aptitude Test (p=0.048, B=-0.05) negatively predicted cGPA. Moreover, none of the pre-admission variables were predictive of progress test performance in the same group. On the other hand, none of the pre-admission variables were predictive of cGPA in clinical years. Overall, cGPA strongly predict-ed students’ progress test performance (p<0.001 and B=19.02). Conclusions Only the National Achievement Test and TOEFL significantly predicted performance in preclinical years. However, these variables do not predict progress test performance, meaning that they do not predict the functional knowledge reflected in the progress test. We report various strengths and deficiencies in the current medical college admission criteria, and call for employing more sensitive and valid ones that predict student performance and functional knowledge, especially in the clinical years. PMID:29176032

Potential Utility of Non-Cognitive Constructs in Graduate Admissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Miller, Casey

2015-03-01

It is becoming clear that the methods employed by many graduate admissions committees need updating. Regarding outcomes, we cannot select students that will actually graduate much better than would a coin toss. Further, the GRE is often misused. For example, the most recent GRE general test data (2006-2007) shows that for US citizens in the physical sciences, a cut-off score of ~64th percentile (700/155 on old/new test) would eliminate from eligibility: 63% of women vs 42% of men; 76% of all under-represented minorities vs 38% of Asian and 47% of White applicants. Fortunately, Organizational Psychologists have identified and validated several ``non-cognitive constructs'' for admissions: aspects of personality (conscientiousness); and self-management factors. Some intriguing facts about these parameters: they are measurable with the help of social scientists; they do not show race/ethnicity/gender performance differences; they are orthogonal to cognitive metrics measured by GPA and tests scores. These are proven to enhance both validity and diversity in admissions. My goals for this talk are to overview the non-cognitive constructs with the most potential for being used in physics graduate admissions, and to suggest example admissions protocols. Supported by the National Science Foundation.

NASA's Newest Orbital Debris Ground-based Telescope Assets: MCAT and UKIRT

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lederer, S.; Frith, J.; Pace, L. F.; Cowardin, H. M.; Hickson, P.; Glesne, T.; Maeda, R.; Buckalew, B.; Nishimoto, D.; Douglas, D.; Stansbery, E. G.

2014-09-01

NASAs Orbital Debris Program Office (ODPO) will break ground on Ascension Island in 2014 to build the newest optical (0.30 1.06 microns) ground-based telescope asset dedicated to the study of orbital debris. The Meter Class Autonomous Telescope (MCAT) is a 1.3m optical telescope designed to track objects in orbits ranging from Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO). Ascension Island is located in the South Atlantic Ocean, offering longitudinal sky coverage not afforded by the Ground-based Electro-Optical Deep Space Surveillance (GEODSS) network. With a fast-tracking dome, a suite of visible wide-band filters, and a time-delay integration (TDI) capable camera, MCAT is capable of multiple observing modes ranging from tracking cataloged debris targets to surveying the overall debris environment. Access to the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope (UKIRT) will extend our spectral coverage into the near- (0.8-5 micron) and mid- to far-infrared (8-25 micron) regime. UKIRT is a 3.8m telescope located on Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii. At nearly 14,000-feet and above the atmospheric inversion layer, this is one of the premier astronomical sites in the world and is an ideal setting for an infrared telescope. An unprecedented one-third of this telescopes time has been allocated to collect orbital debris data for NASAs ODPO over a 2-year period. UKIRT has several instruments available to obtain low-resolution spectroscopy in both the near-IR and the mid/far-IR. Infrared spectroscopy is ideal for constraining the material types, albedos and sizes of debris targets, and potentially gaining insight into reddening effects caused by space weathering. In addition, UKIRT will be used to acquire broadband photometric imaging at GEO with the Wide Field Camera (WFCAM) for studying known objects of interest as well as collecting data in survey-mode to discover new targets. Results from the first stage of the debris campaign will be presented. The combination of

Verbal Final Exam in Introductory Biology Yields Gains in Student Content Knowledge and Longitudinal Performance

PubMed Central

Luckie, Douglas B.; Rivkin, Aaron M.; Aubry, Jacob R.; Marengo, Benjamin J.; Creech, Leah R.; Sweeder, Ryan D.

2013-01-01

We studied gains in student learning over eight semesters in which an introductory biology course curriculum was changed to include optional verbal final exams (VFs). Students could opt to demonstrate their mastery of course material via structured oral exams with the professor. In a quantitative assessment of cell biology content knowledge, students who passed the VF outscored their peers on the medical assessment test (MAT), an exam built with 40 Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) questions (66.4% [n = 160] and 62% [n = 285], respectively; p < 0.001);. The higher-achieving students performed better on MCAT questions in all topic categories tested; the greatest gain occurred on the topic of cellular respiration. Because the VF focused on a conceptually parallel topic, photosynthesis, there may have been authentic knowledge transfer. In longitudinal tracking studies, passing the VF also correlated with higher performance in a range of upper-level science courses, with greatest significance in physiology, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. Participation had a wide range but not equal representation in academic standing, gender, and ethnicity. Yet students nearly unanimously (92%) valued the option. Our findings suggest oral exams at the introductory level may allow instructors to assess and aid students striving to achieve higher-level learning. PMID:24006399

Verbal final exam in introductory biology yields gains in student content knowledge and longitudinal performance.

PubMed

Luckie, Douglas B; Rivkin, Aaron M; Aubry, Jacob R; Marengo, Benjamin J; Creech, Leah R; Sweeder, Ryan D

2013-01-01

We studied gains in student learning over eight semesters in which an introductory biology course curriculum was changed to include optional verbal final exams (VFs). Students could opt to demonstrate their mastery of course material via structured oral exams with the professor. In a quantitative assessment of cell biology content knowledge, students who passed the VF outscored their peers on the medical assessment test (MAT), an exam built with 40 Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) questions (66.4% [n = 160] and 62% [n = 285], respectively; p < 0.001);. The higher-achieving students performed better on MCAT questions in all topic categories tested; the greatest gain occurred on the topic of cellular respiration. Because the VF focused on a conceptually parallel topic, photosynthesis, there may have been authentic knowledge transfer. In longitudinal tracking studies, passing the VF also correlated with higher performance in a range of upper-level science courses, with greatest significance in physiology, biochemistry, and organic chemistry. Participation had a wide range but not equal representation in academic standing, gender, and ethnicity. Yet students nearly unanimously (92%) valued the option. Our findings suggest oral exams at the introductory level may allow instructors to assess and aid students striving to achieve higher-level learning.

A single-centre cohort study of National Early Warning Score (NEWS) and near patient testing in acute medical admissions.

PubMed

Abbott, Tom E F; Torrance, Hew D T; Cron, Nicholas; Vaid, Nidhi; Emmanuel, Julian

2016-11-01

The utility of an early warning score may be improved when used with near patient testing. However, this has not yet been investigated for National Early Warning Score (NEWS). We hypothesised that the combination of NEWS and blood gas variables (lactate, glucose or base-excess) was more strongly associated with clinical outcome compared to NEWS alone. This was a prospective cohort study of adult medical admissions to a single-centre over 20days. Blood gas results and physiological observations were recorded at admission. NEWS was calculated retrospectively and combined with the biomarkers in multivariable logistic regression models. The primary outcome was a composite of mortality or critical care escalation within 2days of hospital admission. The secondary outcome was hospital length of stay. After accounting for missing data, 15 patients out of 322 (4.7%) died or were escalated to the critical care unit. The median length of stay was 4 (IQR 7) days. When combined with lactate or base excess, NEWS was associated with the primary outcome (OR 1.18, p=0.01 and OR 1.13, p=0.03). However, NEWS alone was more strongly associated with the primary outcome measure (OR 1.46, p<0.01). The combination of NEWS with glucose was not associated with the primary outcome. Neither NEWS nor any combination of NEWS and a biomarker were associated with hospital length of stay. Admission NEWS is more strongly associated with death or critical care unit admission within 2days of hospital admission, compared to combinations of NEWS and blood-gas derived biomarkers. Copyright © 2016 European Federation of Internal Medicine. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Admission plasma glucose and diabetes mellitus in elderly admissions to hospital.

PubMed

Croxson, S C; Keir, S L; Ibbs, L

1997-05-01

Over 6 months, all admissions to three geriatric wards were studied to define an admission plasma glucose level (APG) that identified previously undiagnosed diabetes mellitus. Subjects with APG> or =7.0 mmol l(-1) had a modified oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) when well before discharge if their dose of steroid and/or thiazide was constant, and they were neither terminally ill nor dead; excluded were 1 subject on reducing steroid doses, and 9 moribund admissions without APG. If the first 2 h OGTT result was > or =11.1 mmol l(-1), a second OGTT was performed 6 weeks later to fulfil 1985 WHO criteria. Subjects with APG<7.0 mmol l(-1) did not have OGTT. Seventy had a previous diagnosis of diabetes; scrutiny of records and OGTT refuted the diagnosis in 5, who were excluded from further analysis. Diabetes was only commonly found among those with APG> or =8.0 mmol l(-1), and the proportion was small until APG> or =13 mmol l(-1), although even then only 47% (95% CI 21-73%) had diabetes. Fourteen of 28 subjects with initial OGTT results suggesting diabetes were not diabetic on retesting. Inpatient mortality was higher if APG> or =7.0 (Odds ratio 2.82; CI 1.63-4.89) or the subject had known diabetes (Odds ratio 2.43; CI 1.15-4.97) compared to APG<7; there was no age or sex difference between these three groups. We conclude that, unless overtly diabetic, diagnosis of diabetes in elderly medical admissions needs later confirmation.

Prepharmacy predictors of success in pharmacy school: grade point averages, pharmacy college admissions test, communication abilities, and critical thinking skills.

PubMed

Allen, D D; Bond, C A

2001-07-01

Good admissions decisions are essential for identifying successful students and good practitioners. Various parameters have been shown to have predictive power for academic success. Previous academic performance, the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT), and specific prepharmacy courses have been suggested as academic performance indicators. However, critical thinking abilities have not been evaluated. We evaluated the connection between academic success and each of the following predictive parameters: the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST) score, PCAT score, interview score, overall academic performance prior to admission at a pharmacy school, and performance in specific prepharmacy courses. We confirmed previous reports but demonstrated intriguing results in predicting practice-based skills. Critical thinking skills predict practice-based course success. Also, the CCTST and PCAT scores (Pearson correlation [pc] = 0.448, p < 0.001) were closely related in our students. The strongest predictors of practice-related courses and clerkship success were PCAT (pc=0.237, p<0.001) and CCTST (pc = 0.201, p < 0.001). These findings and other analyses suggest that PCAT may predict critical thinking skills in pharmacy practice courses and clerkships. Further study is needed to confirm this finding and determine which PCAT components predict critical thinking abilities.

Acceptability and Feasibility of Universal Offer of Rapid Point of Care Testing for HIV in an Acute Admissions Unit: Results of the RAPID Project

PubMed Central

Burns, Fiona; Edwards, Simon G.; Woods, Jeremy; Haidari, Golaleh; Calderon, Yvette; Leider, Jason; Morris, Stephen; Tobin, Rose; Cartledge, Jonathan; Brown, Michael

2012-01-01

Background UK guidance recommend all acute medical admissions be offered an HIV test. Our aim was to determine whether a dedicated staff member using a multimedia tool, a model found to be effective in the USA, is an acceptable, feasible, and cost-effective model when translated to a UK setting. Design Between 14th Jan to 12th May 2010, a Health advisor (HA) approached 19–65 year olds at a central London acute medical admissions unit (AAU) and offered a rapid HIV point of care test (POCT) with the aid of an educational video. Patients with negative results had the option to watch a post-test video providing risk-reduction information. For reactive results the HA arranged a confirmatory test, and ensured linkage into HIV specialist care. Feasibility and acceptability were assessed through surveys and uptake rates. Costs per case of HIV identified were established. Results Of the 606 eligible people admitted during the pilot period, 324 (53.5%) could not be approached or testing was deemed inappropriate. In total 23.0% of eligible admissions had an HIV POCT. Of the patients who watched the video and had not recently tested for HIV, 93.6% (131/140) agreed to an HIV test; four further patients had an HIV test but did not watch the video. Three tests (2.2%, 3/135) were reactive and all were confirmed HIV positive on laboratory testing. 97.5% felt HIV testing in this setting was appropriate, and 90.1% liked receiving the information via video. The cost per patient of the intervention was £21. Discussion Universal POCT HIV testing in an acute medical setting, facilitated by an educational video and dedicated staff appears to be acceptable, feasible, effective, and low cost. These findings support the recommendation of HIV testing all admissions to AAU in high prevalence settings, although with the model used a significant proportion remained untested. PMID:22558129

Black Clouds vs Random Variation in Hospital Admissions.

PubMed

Ong, Luei Wern; Dawson, Jeffrey D; Ely, John W

2018-06-01

Physicians often accuse their peers of being "black clouds" if they repeatedly have more than the average number of hospital admissions while on call. Our purpose was to determine whether the black-cloud phenomenon is real or explainable by random variation. We analyzed hospital admissions to the University of Iowa family medicine service from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2015. Analyses were stratified by peer group (eg, night shift attending physicians, day shift senior residents). We analyzed admission numbers to find evidence of black-cloud physicians (those with significantly more admissions than their peers) and white-cloud physicians (those with significantly fewer admissions). The statistical significance of whether there were actual differences across physicians was tested with mixed-effects negative binomial regression. The 5-year study included 96 physicians and 6,194 admissions. The number of daytime admissions ranged from 0 to 10 (mean 2.17, SD 1.63). Night admissions ranged from 0 to 11 (mean 1.23, SD 1.22). Admissions increased from 1,016 in the first year to 1,523 in the fifth year. We found 18 white-cloud and 16 black-cloud physicians in simple regression models that did not control for this upward trend. After including study year and other potential confounding variables in the regression models, there were no significant associations between physicians and admission numbers and therefore no true black or white clouds. In this study, apparent black-cloud and white-cloud physicians could be explained by random variation in hospital admissions. However, this randomness incorporated a wide range in workload among physicians, with potential impact on resident education at the low end and patient safety at the high end.

Partial admission effect on the performance and vibration of a supersonic impulse turbine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lee, Hang Gi; Shin, Ju Hyun; Choi, Chang-Ho; Jeong, Eunhwan; Kwon, Sejin

2018-04-01

This study experimentally investigates the effects of partial admission on the performance and vibration outcomes of a supersonic impulse turbine with circular nozzles. The turbine of a turbopump for a gas-generator-type liquid rocket engine in the Korea Space Launch Vehicle-II is of the supersonic impulse type with the partial admission configuration for obtaining a high specific power. Partial admission turbines with a low-flow-rate working gas exhibit benefits over turbines with full admission, such as loss reduction, ease of controllability of the turbine power output, and simple turbine configurations with separate starting sections. However, the radial force of the turbine rotor due to the partial admission causes an increase in turbine vibration. Few experimental studies have previously been conducted regarding the partial admission effects on supersonic impulse turbines with circular nozzles. In the present study, performance tests of supersonic impulse turbines with circular nozzles were conducted for various partial admission ratios using a turbine test facility with high-pressure air in order to investigate the resulting aerodynamic performance and vibration. Four types of turbines with partial admission ratios of 0.17, 0.42, 0.75 and 0.83 were tested. Results show that the efficiencies at the design point increase linearly as the partial admission ratios increase. Moreover, as the velocity ratios increase, the difference in efficiency from the reference turbine with a partial admission ratio of 0.83 becomes increasingly significant, and the magnitudes of these differences are proportional to the square of the velocity ratios. Likewise, the decrease in the partial admission ratio results in an increase in the turbine vibration level owing to the increase in the radial force.

[How medical students perform academically by admission types?].

PubMed

Kim, Se-Hoon; Lee, Keumho; Hur, Yera; Kim, Ji-Ha

2013-09-01

Despite the importance of selecting students whom are capable for medical education and to become a good doctor, not enough studies have been done in the category. This study focused on analysing the medical students' academic performance (grade point average, GPA) differences, flunk and dropout rates by admission types. From 2004 to 2010, we gathered 369 Konyang University College of Medicine's students admission data and analyzed the differences between admission method and academic achievement, differences in failure and dropout rates. Analysis of variance (ANOVA), ordinary least square, and logistic regression were used. The rolling students showed higher academic achievement from year 1 to 3 than regular students (p < 0.01). Using admission type variable as control variable in multiple regression model similar results were shown. But unlike the results of ANOVA, GPA differences by admission types were shown not only in lower academic years but also in year 6 (p < 0.01). From the regression analysis of flunk and dropout rate by admission types, regular admission type students showed higher drop out rate than the rolling ones which demonstrates admission types gives significant effect on flunk or dropout rates in medical students (p < 0.01). The rolling admissions type students tend to show lower flunk rate and dropout rates and perform better academically. This implies selecting students primarily by Korean College Scholastic Ability Test does not guarantee their academic success in medical education. Thus we suggest a more in-depth comprehensive method of selecting students that are appropriate to individual medical school's educational goal.

Perceptions of Effectiveness and Fairness of Chinese Higher Education Admissions Policy Reformed

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sun, Jing

2010-01-01

Since 1949 when the People's Republic of China was established, China adopted the single criterion higher education admissions policy. That is, admissions only looked at the Gao Kao scores. The test-score-centered admissions policy undermined students' health, distorted instructions and curricula and also resulted in corruption. As a result, China…

Rethinking Dental School Admission Criteria: Correlation Between Pre-Admission Variables and First-Year Performance for Six Classes at One Dental School.

PubMed

Rowland, Kevin C; Rieken, Susan

2018-04-01

Admissions committees in dental schools are charged with the responsibility of selecting candidates who will succeed in school and become successful members of the profession. Identifying students who will have academic difficulty is challenging. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive value of pre-admission variables for the first-year performance of six classes at one U.S. dental school. The authors hypothesized that the variables undergraduate grade point average (GPA), undergraduate science GPA (biology, chemistry, and physics), and Dental Admission Test (DAT) scores would predict the level of performance achieved in the first year of dental school, measured by year-end GPA. Data were collected in 2015 from school records for all 297 students in the six cohorts who completed the first year (Classes of 2007 through 2013). In the results, statistically significant correlations existed between all pre-admission variables and first-year GPA, but the associations were only weak to moderate. Lower performing students at the end of the first year (lowest 10% of GPA) had, on average, lower pre-admission variables than the other students, but the differences were small (≤10.8% in all categories). When all the pre-admission variables were considered together in a multiple regression analysis, a significant association was found between pre-admission variables and first-year GPA, but the association was weak (adjusted R 2 =0.238). This weak association suggests that these students' first-year dental school GPAs were mostly determined by factors other than the pre-admission variables studied and has resulted in the school's placing greater emphasis on other factors for admission decisions.

A simple tool to predict admission at the time of triage.

PubMed

Cameron, Allan; Rodgers, Kenneth; Ireland, Alastair; Jamdar, Ravi; McKay, Gerard A

2015-03-01

To create and validate a simple clinical score to estimate the probability of admission at the time of triage. This was a multicentre, retrospective, cross-sectional study of triage records for all unscheduled adult attendances in North Glasgow over 2 years. Clinical variables that had significant associations with admission on logistic regression were entered into a mixed-effects multiple logistic model. This provided weightings for the score, which was then simplified and tested on a separate validation group by receiving operator characteristic (ROC) analysis and goodness-of-fit tests. 215 231 presentations were used for model derivation and 107 615 for validation. Variables in the final model showing clinically and statistically significant associations with admission were: triage category, age, National Early Warning Score (NEWS), arrival by ambulance, referral source and admission within the last year. The resulting 6-variable score showed excellent admission/discharge discrimination (area under ROC curve 0.8774, 95% CI 0.8752 to 0.8796). Higher scores also predicted early returns for those who were discharged: the odds of subsequent admission within 28 days doubled for every 7-point increase (log odds=+0.0933 per point, p<0.0001). This simple, 6-variable score accurately estimates the probability of admission purely from triage information. Most patients could accurately be assigned to 'admission likely', 'admission unlikely', 'admission very unlikely' etc., by setting appropriate cut-offs. This could have uses in patient streaming, bed management and decision support. It also has the potential to control for demographics when comparing performance over time or between departments. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

Daily weather variables and affective disorder admissions to psychiatric hospitals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McWilliams, Stephen; Kinsella, Anthony; O'Callaghan, Eadbhard

2014-12-01

Numerous studies have reported that admission rates in patients with affective disorders are subject to seasonal variation. Notwithstanding, there has been limited evaluation of the degree to which changeable daily meteorological patterns influence affective disorder admission rates. A handful of small studies have alluded to a potential link between psychiatric admission rates and meteorological variables such as environmental temperature (heat waves in particular), wind direction and sunshine. We used the Kruskal-Wallis test, ARIMA and time-series regression analyses to examine whether daily meteorological variables—namely wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, rainfall, hours of sunshine, sunlight radiation and temperature—influence admission rates for mania and depression across 12 regions in Ireland over a 31-year period. Although we found some very weak but interesting trends for barometric pressure in relation to mania admissions, daily meteorological patterns did not appear to affect hospital admissions overall for mania or depression. Our results do not support the small number of papers to date that suggest a link between daily meteorological variables and affective disorder admissions. Further study is needed.

Fixed and growth mindsets in physics graduate admissions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Scherr, Rachel E.; Plisch, Monica; Gray, Kara E.; Potvin, Geoff; Hodapp, Theodore

2017-12-01

Considering the evidence that standard physics graduate admissions practices tend to exclude women and traditionally marginalized racial and ethnic groups from the discipline, we investigate (a) the characteristics of students that physics graduate admissions committee members seek to admit to their programs and (b) the practices associated with these admissions goals. The data for this investigation are interviews with 18 faculty who chair graduate admissions committees in programs that prioritize diversity in their graduate admissions practices. We find that some express elements of an implicit theory of intelligence known as a "fixed mindset," in which intelligence is understood as an inherent capacity or ability primarily measured by standardized test scores and grades. Some also express elements of a "growth mindset," in which intelligence is understood in terms of acquired knowledge and effort. Overall, most faculty interviewed expressed elements of both mindsets. A fixed mindset in physics graduate admissions is consistent with research identifying physics as a "brilliance-required" field, whose members tend to believe that raw, innate talent is a primary requirement for success in the discipline. Such a mindset directly affects the participation of women and some racial or ethnic groups, who are stereotyped as lacking such high-level intellectual ability.

Multidimensional CAT Item Selection Methods for Domain Scores and Composite Scores: Theory and Applications

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Yao, Lihua

2012-01-01

Multidimensional computer adaptive testing (MCAT) can provide higher precision and reliability or reduce test length when compared with unidimensional CAT or with the paper-and-pencil test. This study compared five item selection procedures in the MCAT framework for both domain scores and overall scores through simulation by varying the structure…

Primary and Secondary Selection Tools in an Optometry Admission Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spafford, Marlee M.

2000-01-01

A five-year evaluation of the admissions decision process at the University of Waterloo (Ontario) School of Optometry found that when primary tools (i.e., university grades, Optometry Admission Test scores) did not differentiate candidates, there was an increased emphasis on secondary tools (i.e., interview, autobiographic sketch, prerequisite…

Development of a Maximum Admissions Index for Freshman Admissions to the University of Washington.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lunneborg, Clifford E.

A new technique has been developed for admitting new freshman students at the University of Washington. Previously, an Admissions Index (AI) was used, in which the high school grade point average (HSGPA) was assigned twice the weight of the composite verbal and quantitative scores from the Washington Pre-College Test Battery (WPC). To offset the…

To what extent does the Health Professions Admission Test-Ireland predict performance in early undergraduate tests of communication and clinical skills? An observational cohort study.

PubMed

Kelly, Maureen E; Regan, Daniel; Dunne, Fidelma; Henn, Patrick; Newell, John; O'Flynn, Siun

2013-05-10

Internationally, tests of general mental ability are used in the selection of medical students. Examples include the Medical College Admission Test, Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test and the UK Clinical Aptitude Test. The most widely used measure of their efficacy is predictive validity.A new tool, the Health Professions Admission Test- Ireland (HPAT-Ireland), was introduced in 2009. Traditionally, selection to Irish undergraduate medical schools relied on academic achievement. Since 2009, Irish and EU applicants are selected on a combination of their secondary school academic record (measured predominately by the Leaving Certificate Examination) and HPAT-Ireland score. This is the first study to report on the predictive validity of the HPAT-Ireland for early undergraduate assessments of communication and clinical skills. Students enrolled at two Irish medical schools in 2009 were followed up for two years. Data collected were gender, HPAT-Ireland total and subsection scores; Leaving Certificate Examination plus HPAT-Ireland combined score, Year 1 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) scores (Total score, communication and clinical subtest scores), Year 1 Multiple Choice Questions and Year 2 OSCE and subset scores. We report descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and Multiple linear regression models. Data were available for 312 students. In Year 1 none of the selection criteria were significantly related to student OSCE performance. The Leaving Certificate Examination and Leaving Certificate plus HPAT-Ireland combined scores correlated with MCQ marks.In Year 2 a series of significant correlations emerged between the HPAT-Ireland and subsections thereof with OSCE Communication Z-scores; OSCE Clinical Z-scores; and Total OSCE Z-scores. However on multiple regression only the relationship between Total OSCE Score and the Total HPAT-Ireland score remained significant; albeit the predictive power was modest. We found

Selection for Higher Education in Developing Countries--the Use of Tests in Admission for Pre-Entry Science Upgrading Courses in Botswana, Swaziland and Lesotho.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Altink, Wieby M. M.

The degree of predictive validity and the relationship with previous learning conditions were studied for measures used in admission procedures for upgrading courses in science and mathematics in Botswana, Lesotho, and Swaziland. School results, achievement tests, aptitude tests, and ability tests were evaluated for students leaving secondary…

The Landscape of Graduate Admissions: Surveying Physics Programs about Doctoral Admissions Practices

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Potvin, Geoff

2014-03-01

Sustaining or improving the best graduate programs as well as increasing the diversity of the physics community requires us to better understand the critical gatekeeping role played by graduate admissions. Admissions processes determine not only who is allowed to begin graduate study but can also influence who chooses to even consider applying. Recently, in concert with some of the activities of the APS Bridge Program, a survey was conducted of directors of graduate admissions and associated faculty in doctoral-granting departments about their admissions practices. Receiving responses from over 75% of departments that award PhDs in physics, respondents were probed about their admissions decisions with special attention on the criteria used in admissions and their relative importance, and how student representation considerations are dealt with in the admissions process (if at all). Results indicate a number of important issues for future students, faculty, and administrators to consider including the importance placed on GRE scores. Results also indicate a sizable number of departments express a latent demand for greater numbers of students from traditionally-underrepresented backgrounds (including women) but simultaneously report a dearth of such students who even apply to their doctoral programs. Implications of these and other findings will be discussed.

38 CFR 18.442 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... conduct periodic validity studies against the criterion of overall success in the education program or... use any test or criterion for admission that has a disproportionate, adverse effect on handicapped persons or any class of handicapped persons unless: (i) The test or criterion, as used by the recipient...

Prediction of soil stability and erosion in semiarid regions using numerical hydrological model (MCAT) and airborne hyperspectral imagery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brook, Anna; Wittenberg, Lea

2015-04-01

Long-term environmental monitoring is addressed to identify physical and biological changes and progresses taking place in the ecosystem. This basic action of landscape monitoring is an essential part of the systematic long-term surveillance, aiming to evaluate, assess and predict the spatial change and progresses. Indeed, it provides a context for wide range of diverse studies and research frameworks from regional or global scale. Spatial-temporal trends and changes at various scales (massive to less certain) require establishing consistent baseline data over time. One of the spatial cases of landscape monitoring is dedicated to soil formation and pedological progresses. It is previously acknowledged that changes in soil affect the functionality of the environment, so monitoring changes recently become important cause considerable resources in areas such as environmental management, sustainability services, and protecting the environment healthy. Given the above, it can be concluded that monitoring changes in the base for sustainable development. The hydrological response of bare soils and watersheds in semiarid regions to intense rainfall events is known to be complex due to multiply physical and structural impacts and feedbacks. As a result, the comprehensive evaluations of mathematical models including detailed consideration of uncertainties in the modeling of hydrological and environmental systems are of increasing importance. The presented method incorporates means of remote sensing data, hydrological and climate data and implementing dedicated and integrative Monte Carlo Analysis Toolbox (MCAT) model for semiarid region. Complexity of practical models to represent spatial systems requires an extensive understanding of the spatial phenomena, while providing realistic balance of sensitivity and corresponding uncertainty levels. Nowadays a large number of dedicated mathematical models applied to assess environmental hydrological process. Among the most

Unreliable patient identification warrants ABO typing at admission to check existing records before transfusion.

PubMed

Ferrera-Tourenc, V; Lassale, B; Chiaroni, J; Dettori, I

2015-06-01

This study describes patient identification errors leading to transfusional near-misses in blood issued by the Alps Mediterranean French Blood Establishment (EFSAM) to Marseille Public Hospitals (APHM) over an 18-month period. The EFSAM consolidates 14 blood banks in southeast France. It supplies 149 hospitals and maintains a centralized database on ABO types used at all area hospitals. As an added precaution against incompatible transfusion, the APHM requires ABO testing at each admission regardless of whether the patient has an ABO record. The study goal was to determine if admission testing was warranted. Discrepancies between ABO type determined by admission testing and records in the centralized database were investigated. The root cause for each discrepancy was classified as specimen collection or patient admission error. Causes of patient admission events were further subclassified as namesake (name similarity) or impersonation (identity fraud). The incidence of ABO discrepancies was 1:2334 including a 1:3329 incidence of patient admission events. Impersonation was the main cause of identity events accounting for 90.3% of cases. The APHM's ABO control policy prevented 19 incompatible transfusions. In relation to the 48,593 packed red cell units transfused, this would have corresponded to a risk of 1:2526. Collecting and storing ABO typing results in a centralized database is an essential public health tool. It allows crosschecking of current test results with past records and avoids redundant testing. However, as patient identification remains unreliable, ABO typing at each admission is still warranted to prevent transfusion errors. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Shocking Admission

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hoover, Eric; Millman, Sierra

2007-01-01

Marilee Jones's career had been a remarkable success. She joined Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT's) admissions office in 1979, landing a job in Cambridge at a time when boys ruled the sandbox of the admissions profession. Her job was to help MIT recruit more women, who then made up less than one-fifth of the institute's students. She…

Can we predict 4-year graduation in podiatric medical school using admission data?

PubMed

Sesodia, Sanjay; Molnar, David; Shaw, Graham P

2012-01-01

This study examined the predictive ability of educational background and demographic variables, available at the admission stage, to identify applicants who will graduate in 4 years from podiatric medical school. A logistic regression model was used to identify two predictors of 4-year graduation: age at matriculation and total Medical College Admission Test score. The model was cross-validated using a second independent sample from the same population. Cross-validation gives greater confidence that the results could be more generally applied. Total Medical College Admission Test score was the strongest predictor of 4-year graduation, with age at matriculation being a statistically significant but weaker predictor. Despite the model's capacity to predict 4-year graduation better than random assignment, a sufficient amount of error in prediction remained, suggesting that important predictors are missing from the model. Furthermore, the high rate of false-positives makes it inappropriate to use age and Medical College Admission Test score as admission screens in an attempt to eliminate attrition by not accepting at-risk students.

Reliability of a science admission test (HAM-Nat) at Hamburg medical school.

PubMed

Hissbach, Johanna; Klusmann, Dietrich; Hampe, Wolfgang

2011-01-01

The University Hospital in Hamburg (UKE) started to develop a test of knowledge in natural sciences for admission to medical school in 2005 (Hamburger Auswahlverfahren für Medizinische Studiengänge, Naturwissenschaftsteil, HAM-Nat). This study is a step towards establishing the HAM-Nat. We are investigating parallel forms reliability, the effect of a crash course in chemistry on test results, and correlations of HAM-Nat test results with a test of scientific reasoning (similar to a subtest of the "Test for Medical Studies", TMS). 316 first-year students participated in the study in 2007. They completed different versions of the HAM-Nat test which consisted of items that had already been used (HN2006) and new items (HN2007). Four weeks later half of the participants were tested on the HN2007 version of the HAM-Nat again, while the other half completed the test of scientific reasoning. Within this four week interval students were offered a five day chemistry course. Parallel forms reliability for four different test versions ranged from r(tt)=.53 to r(tt)=.67. The retest reliabilities of the HN2007 halves were r(tt)=.54 and r(tt )=.61. Correlations of the two HAM-Nat versions with the test of scientific reasoning were r=.34 und r=.21. The crash course in chemistry had no effect on HAM-Nat scores. The results suggest that further versions of the test of natural sciences will not easily conform to the standards of internal consistency, parallel-forms reliability and retest reliability. Much care has to be taken in order to assemble items which could be used interchangeably for the construction of new test versions. The test of scientific reasoning and the HAM-Nat are tapping different constructs. Participation in a chemistry course did not improve students' achievement, probably because the content of the course was not coordinated with the test and many students lacked of motivation to do well in the second test.

Reliability of a science admission test (HAM-Nat) at Hamburg medical school

PubMed Central

Hissbach, Johanna; Klusmann, Dietrich; Hampe, Wolfgang

2011-01-01

Objective: The University Hospital in Hamburg (UKE) started to develop a test of knowledge in natural sciences for admission to medical school in 2005 (Hamburger Auswahlverfahren für Medizinische Studiengänge, Naturwissenschaftsteil, HAM-Nat). This study is a step towards establishing the HAM-Nat. We are investigating parallel forms reliability, the effect of a crash course in chemistry on test results, and correlations of HAM-Nat test results with a test of scientific reasoning (similar to a subtest of the "Test for Medical Studies", TMS). Methods: 316 first-year students participated in the study in 2007. They completed different versions of the HAM-Nat test which consisted of items that had already been used (HN2006) and new items (HN2007). Four weeks later half of the participants were tested on the HN2007 version of the HAM-Nat again, while the other half completed the test of scientific reasoning. Within this four week interval students were offered a five day chemistry course. Results: Parallel forms reliability for four different test versions ranged from rtt=.53 to rtt=.67. The retest reliabilities of the HN2007 halves were rtt=.54 and rtt =.61. Correlations of the two HAM-Nat versions with the test of scientific reasoning were r=.34 und r=.21. The crash course in chemistry had no effect on HAM-Nat scores. Conclusions: The results suggest that further versions of the test of natural sciences will not easily conform to the standards of internal consistency, parallel-forms reliability and retest reliability. Much care has to be taken in order to assemble items which could be used interchangeably for the construction of new test versions. The test of scientific reasoning and the HAM-Nat are tapping different constructs. Participation in a chemistry course did not improve students’ achievement, probably because the content of the course was not coordinated with the test and many students lacked of motivation to do well in the second test. PMID:21866246

A Revised Admissions Standard for One Community College Nursing Program

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lown, Maris A.

2010-01-01

Predicting success on the NCLEX-RN is of paramount importance to nursing programs as they are held accountable for this outcome by accrediting agencies and by boards of nursing. This action research study examined the relationship between the NET admission test, anatomy and physiology grades, grade point average (GPA) on admission to the program…

45 CFR 618.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 618.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any...

HIV testing and clinical status upon admission to a specialized health care unit in Pará, Brazil

PubMed Central

Abati, Paulo Afonso Martins; Segurado, Aluisio Cotrim

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of HIV-infected individuals upon admission to a reference health care center. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1999 and 2010 on 527 individuals with confirmed serological diagnosis of HIV infection who were enrolled in an outpatient health care service in Santarém, PA, Northern Brazil. Data were collected from medical records and included the reason for HIV testing, clinical status, and count of peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes upon enrollment. The data were divided into three groups, according to the patient’s year of admission – P1 (1999-2002), P2 (2003-2006), and P3 (2007-2010) – for comparative analysis of the variables of interest. RESULTS In the study group, 62.0% of the patients were assigned to the P3 group. The reason for undergoing HIV testing differed between genders. In the male population, most tests were conducted because of the presence of symptoms suggesting infection. Among women, tests were the result of knowledge of the partner’s seropositive status in groups P1 and P2. Higher proportion of women undergoing testing because of symptoms of HIV/AIDS infection abolished the difference between genders in the most recent period. A higher percentage of patients enrolling at a more advanced stage of the disease was observed in P3. CONCLUSIONS Despite the increased awareness of the number of HIV/AIDS cases, these patients have identified their serological status late and were admitted to health care units with active disease. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Pará presents specificities in its progression that indicate the complex characteristics of the epidemic in the Northern region of Brazil and across the country. PMID:25741647

HIV testing and clinical status upon admission to a specialized health care unit in Pará, Brazil.

PubMed

Abati, Paulo Afonso Martins; Segurado, Aluisio Cotrim

2015-01-01

OBJECTIVE To analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of HIV-infected individuals upon admission to a reference health care center. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted between 1999 and 2010 on 527 individuals with confirmed serological diagnosis of HIV infection who were enrolled in an outpatient health care service in Santarém, PA, Northern Brazil. Data were collected from medical records and included the reason for HIV testing, clinical status, and count of peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes upon enrollment. The data were divided into three groups, according to the patient's year of admission - P1 (1999-2002), P2 (2003-2006), and P3 (2007-2010) - for comparative analysis of the variables of interest. RESULTS In the study group, 62.0% of the patients were assigned to the P3 group. The reason for undergoing HIV testing differed between genders. In the male population, most tests were conducted because of the presence of symptoms suggesting infection. Among women, tests were the result of knowledge of the partner's seropositive status in groups P1 and P2. Higher proportion of women undergoing testing because of symptoms of HIV/AIDS infection abolished the difference between genders in the most recent period. A higher percentage of patients enrolling at a more advanced stage of the disease was observed in P3. CONCLUSIONS Despite the increased awareness of the number of HIV/AIDS cases, these patients have identified their serological status late and were admitted to health care units with active disease. The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Pará presents specificities in its progression that indicate the complex characteristics of the epidemic in the Northern region of Brazil and across the country.

Care provider allocation on admissions to acute mental health wards: The development and validation of the Admission Team Score List.

PubMed

van den Berg, Sjobha R N; Stringer, Barbara; van de Sande, Roland; Draisma, Stasja

2018-05-18

Currently, support tools are lacking to prioritize steps in the care coordination process to enable safe practice and effective clinical pathways in the first phase of acute psychiatric admissions. This study describes the development, validity, and reliability of an acute care coordination support tool, the Admission Team Score List (ATSL). The ATSL assists in care provider allocation during admissions. Face validity and feasibility of the ATSL were tested in 77 acute admissions. Endscores of filled out ATSL's were translated to recommended team compositions. These ATSL team (ATSL-T) compositions were compared to the actually present team (AP-T) and the most preferred team (MP-T) composition in hindsight. Consistency between the ATSL-T and the MP-T was substantial; K w  = 0.70, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.55-0.84]. The consistency between the ATSL-T and AP-T was moderate; K w  = 0.43, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.23-0.62]. The ATSL has an adequate (inter-rater) reliability; ICC = 0.90, P < 0.001, 95% CI [0.65-0.91]. The ATSL study is an important step to promote safety and efficient care based on care provider allocation, for service users experiencing an acute admission. The ATSL may stimulate structured clinical decision-making during the hectic process around acute psychiatric admissions. © 2018 Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Inc.

To what extent does the Health Professions Admission Test-Ireland predict performance in early undergraduate tests of communication and clinical skills? – An observational cohort study

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background Internationally, tests of general mental ability are used in the selection of medical students. Examples include the Medical College Admission Test, Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test and the UK Clinical Aptitude Test. The most widely used measure of their efficacy is predictive validity. A new tool, the Health Professions Admission Test- Ireland (HPAT-Ireland), was introduced in 2009. Traditionally, selection to Irish undergraduate medical schools relied on academic achievement. Since 2009, Irish and EU applicants are selected on a combination of their secondary school academic record (measured predominately by the Leaving Certificate Examination) and HPAT-Ireland score. This is the first study to report on the predictive validity of the HPAT-Ireland for early undergraduate assessments of communication and clinical skills. Method Students enrolled at two Irish medical schools in 2009 were followed up for two years. Data collected were gender, HPAT-Ireland total and subsection scores; Leaving Certificate Examination plus HPAT-Ireland combined score, Year 1 Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) scores (Total score, communication and clinical subtest scores), Year 1 Multiple Choice Questions and Year 2 OSCE and subset scores. We report descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficients and Multiple linear regression models. Results Data were available for 312 students. In Year 1 none of the selection criteria were significantly related to student OSCE performance. The Leaving Certificate Examination and Leaving Certificate plus HPAT-Ireland combined scores correlated with MCQ marks. In Year 2 a series of significant correlations emerged between the HPAT-Ireland and subsections thereof with OSCE Communication Z-scores; OSCE Clinical Z-scores; and Total OSCE Z-scores. However on multiple regression only the relationship between Total OSCE Score and the Total HPAT-Ireland score remained significant; albeit the

Admission to women's crisis houses or to psychiatric wards: women's pathways to admission.

PubMed

Howard, Louise M; Rigon, Elena; Cole, Laura; Lawlor, Caroline; Johnson, Sonia

2008-12-01

This study compared the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and pathways to admission for women admitted to women's crisis houses and to psychiatric hospitals. A women's crisis house is a residential mental health crisis facility for women who would otherwise be considered for voluntary hospital admission. A survey of all 388 female admissions to women's crisis houses and psychiatric hospitals in four boroughs of London during a 12-week period in 2006 was conducted with questionnaires administered to key workers involved in the admissions. Pathways to admission were significantly less complex for women admitted to the crisis houses (fewer preadmission contacts with police, emergency departments, and other services). Women admitted to psychiatric wards were more likely to require supervision or observation. A multivariate analysis of data for the 245 voluntary admissions indicated that women admitted to women's crisis houses were significantly less likely to have a care coordinator (odds ratio [OR]=.528) or to have gone to an accident and emergency department (OR=.214) before admission. No other differences were found between the two groups. Pathways to admission were somewhat different for women admitted to women's crisis houses, but few clinical or sociodemographic differences were found between the two groups. Women's crisis houses may be a viable alternative to traditional wards for voluntary patients not needing intensive supervision and observation. Research should examine whether women's crisis houses are as effective as traditional inpatient services in treating women with acute psychiatric problems.

Seeking the Admission Hybrid

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lucido, Jerome A.

2012-01-01

When one thinks of seminal publications in college admission, the first piece that comes to mind is B. Alden Thresher's "College Admissions in the Public Interest" (1966). Thresher's work, relevant to this day, is credited with being the foundational document of the admission profession. McDonough and Robertson's 1995 study, commissioned by NACAC,…

[Intelligence, socio-economic status and hospital admissions of young adults].

PubMed

Bosma, H; Traag, T; Berger-van Sijl, M; van Eijk, J; Otten, F

2007-05-12

To determine whether socio-economic differences in hospital admissions of adolescents and young adults are related to differences in intelligence. . Retrospective cohort study. The data were derived from a group of 10,231 young adults and adolescents who were followed for a total of 47,212 person years with regard to their hospital admissions. Intelligence was measured in the first year of secondary school by 2 non-verbal intelligence tests for fluid intelligence. Data from hospital admissions were matched to a large-scale educational and occupational cohort. Data were analysed with Cox proportional hazards analysis. Intelligence was not found to be related to hospital admissions. However, a low occupational and educational level of the young adults or their parents, was strongly related to heightened risk for hospital admissions. In particular, the low socio-economic status of a respondent was associated with heightened risk for hospital admissions due to accidents (relative risk: 3.49; 95% confidence interval: 1.91-6.39). The small extent to which the socio-economic differences in hospital admissions seem to be based upon fluid intelligence, at least in adolescents and young adults, as well as the heightened risks of hospital admissions in lower socio-economic status groups and the associated high costs for health care legitimise further study of the determinants of these differences.

Somnambulism: Emergency Department Admissions Due to Sleepwalking-Related Trauma.

PubMed

Sauter, Thomas C; Veerakatty, Sajitha; Haider, Dominik G; Geiser, Thomas; Ricklin, Meret E; Exadaktylos, Aristomenis K

2016-11-01

Somnambulism is a state of dissociated consciousness, in which the affected person is partially asleep and partially awake. There is pervasive public opinion that sleepwalkers are protected from hurting themselves. There have been few scientific reports of trauma associated with somnambulism and no published investigations on the epidemiology or trauma patterns associated with somnambulism. We included all emergency department (ED) admissions to University Hospital Inselspital, Berne, Switzerland, from January 1, 2000, until August 11, 2015, when the patient had suffered a trauma associated with somnambulism. Demographic data (age, gender, nationality) and medical data (mechanism of injury, final diagnosis, hospital admission, mortality and medication on admission) were included. Of 620,000 screened ED admissions, 11 were associated with trauma and sleepwalking. Two patients (18.2%) had a history of known non-rapid eye movement parasomnias. The leading cause of admission was falls. Four patients required hospital admission for orthopedic injuries needing further diagnostic testing and treatment (36.4%). These included two patients with multiple injuries (18.2%). None of the admitted patients died. Although sleepwalking seems benign in the majority of cases and most of the few injured patients did not require hospitalization, major injuries are possible. When patients present with falls of unknown origin, the possibility should be evaluated that they were caused by somnambulism.

Colleges Making SAT Optional as Admissions Requirement

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gilroy, Marilyn

2007-01-01

This article reports that more colleges are dropping the SAT as a requirement for admission and, in many cases, these institutions are attracting a larger and more diverse pool of applicants. According to the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest), 740 schools have made the SATs optional. The list includes some of the nation's most…

The Relationship of Performance on the Dental Admission Test and Performance on Part I of the National Board Dental Examinations.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

De Ball, Suzanne; Sullivan, Kathleen; Horine, Julie; Duncan, William K.; Replogle, William

2002-01-01

Comapred University of Mississippi dental student scores on the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and Part I of the National Board Dental Examinations (NBDE) and found that DAT reading comprehension was a statistically significant predictor of all four subtests of the NBDE. Also found that DAT biology and organic chemistry scores were predictors of NBDE…

Recruitment Based on Applied Research: Admission Tests for New LIS Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Olander, Birgitta

This paper presents the selective student recruitment and the admissions process implemented at the Department of Library and Information Science of Lund University, Sweden (BIVIL). The background is the profound changes in the library profession that have taken place during the past 10-15 years, with the development of information technology and…

A Commentary on the Use of Cut-Scores to Increase the Emphasis of Non-Cognitive Variables in Medical School Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kreiter, Clarence D.

2007-01-01

The academic performance consequences of relying solely on non-cognitive factors for selecting applicants above a GPA and MCAT threshold have not been fully considered in the literature. This commentary considers the impact of using a "threshold approach" on academic performance as assessed with the USMLE Step 1.

Hypogonadism on admission to acute rehabilitation is correlated with lower functional status at admission and discharge.

PubMed

Carlson, N E; Brenner, L A; Wierman, M E; Harrison-Felix, C; Morey, C; Gallagher, S; Ripley, D

2009-04-01

To investigate the association between hormone levels and functional status during acute TBI rehabilitation. Retrospective cohort study of 43 men with moderate-to-severe TBI admitted to an acute rehabilitation unit during a 1 year period. Labs were drawn on admission, including total and free testosterone (T), prolactin, adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), cortisol, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). Functional Independence Measure (FIM) scores were obtained at admission and discharge. Associations between admission hormone levels and the main outcomes, admission and discharge FIM scores, were assessed using linear regression. Lower total and free T-levels at admission were associated with lower total FIM scores at admission (p < 0.038) and discharge (p < 0.046). Higher cortisol levels at admission were significantly associated with lower admission (p = 0.012) and discharge (p = 0.036) scores on the cognitive-FIM. Prolactin, TSH, fT4 and IGF-1 were not correlated with functional status. In men, lower total and free T-levels at admission to acute rehabilitation correlate with lower admission and discharge FIM scores. These data support the need for studies to investigate the impact of physiological testosterone therapy on outcomes during and post-rehabilitation.

Using Laboratory Test Results at Hospital Admission to Predict Short-term Survival in Critically Ill Patients With Metastatic or Advanced Cancer.

PubMed

Cheng, Lee; DeJesus, Alma Y; Rodriguez, Maria A

2017-04-01

Accurately estimating the life expectancy of critically ill patients with metastatic or advanced cancer is a crucial step in planning appropriate palliative or supportive care. We evaluated the results of laboratory tests performed within two days of hospital admission to predict the likelihood of death within 14 days. We retrospectively selected patients 18 years or older with metastatic or advanced cancer who were admitted to intensive care units or palliative and supportive care services in our hospital. We evaluated whether the following are independent predictors in a logistic regression model: age, sex, comorbidities, and the results of seven commonly available laboratory tests. The end point was death within 14 days in or out of the hospital. Of 901 patients in the development cohort and 45% died within 14 days. The risk of death within 14 days after admission increased with increasing age, lactate dehydrogenase levels, and white blood cell counts and decreasing albumin levels and platelet counts (P < 0.01). The model predictions were confirmed using a separate validation cohort. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.74 and 0.70 for the development and validation cohorts, respectively, indicating good discriminatory ability for the model. Our results suggest that laboratory test results performed within two days of admission are valuable in predicting death within 14 days for patients with metastatic or advanced cancer. Such results may provide an objective assessment tool for physicians and help them initiate conversations with patients and families about end-of-life care. Copyright © 2017 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Prematriculation variables associated with suboptimal outcomes for the 1994 – 1999 cohort of U.S. medical-school matriculants

PubMed Central

Andriole, Dorothy A.; Jeffe, Donna B.

2010-01-01

Context The relationship between increasing numbers and diversity of medical-school enrollees and the US physician workforce size and composition has not been described. Objective Identify demographic and pre-matriculation factors associated with medical-school matriculants’ outcomes. Design, Setting, and Participants De-identified data for the 1994–1999 national cohort of 97445 matriculants, followed through March 2, 2009 to graduation or withdrawal/dismissal, were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with suboptimal outcomes. Main Outcome Measures Academic withdrawal/dismissal, non-academic withdrawal/dismissal, and graduation without first-attempt passing scores on United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and/or Step 2CK, each compared with graduation with first-attempt passing scores on both examinations. Results Of 84018 (86.2%) matriculants, 74494 (88.7%) graduated with first-attempt passing scores on Step 1 and Step 2CK, 6743 (8.0%) graduated without first-attempt passing scores on Step 1 and/or Step 2CK, 1049 (1.2%) withdrew/were dismissed for academic reasons, and 1732 (2.1%) withdrew/were dismissed for non-academic reasons. Variables associated with greater likelihood of graduation without first-attempt passing scores on Step 1 and/or Step 2CK and of academic withdrawal/dismissal included Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores (MCAT 18–20 [2.9% of sample]: adjusted odds ratio [OR]=13.06, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]=11.56–14.76 and OR=11.08, 95% CI=8.50–14.45, respectively; MCAT 21–23 [5.6%]: OR=7.52, 95% CI=6.79–8.33 and OR=5.97, 95% CI=4.68–7.62; MCAT 24–26 [13.9%]: OR=4.27, 95% CI=3.92–4.65 and OR=3.56, CI=2.88–4.40) each compared with MCAT>29; Asian/Pacific Islander ([18.2%]: OR=2.15, 95% CI=2.00–2.32 and OR=1.69, 95% CI = 1.37–2.09) or underrepresented minority ([14.9%]: OR=2.30, 95% CI=2.13–2.48 and OR=2.96, 95% CI=2.48–3.54) compared with white race

Poor representation of Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans in medicine.

PubMed

Rodriguez, José E; Campbell, Kendall M; Adelson, Wendi J

2015-04-01

In this article, the authors discuss how various systems in medicine are limiting representation of blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans. Flat and decreasing percentages of Underrepresented Minorities in Medicine (URMM), especially in the black and Native American populations, is concerning for family medicine since members from URMM groups care for minority and underserved populations in greater numbers. Underrepresentation is not only noted in the medical community but also in our medical schools when it comes to numbers of URMM faculty. The changing definition of "disadvantaged" in medical school admissions has also played a part in limiting URMM representation. In addition, the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) excludes black, Latino, and Native American students in greater numbers. The authors support these arguments with evidence from the medical literature. Although unintentional, these systems effectively limit representation of blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans in medicine. Effective changes are suggested and can be implemented to ensure that URMM individuals have equal representation in careers in medicine.

7 CFR 15b.30 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... first year grades, but shall conduct periodic validity studies against the criterion of overall success... admitted; (2) May not make use of any test or criterion for admission that has a disproportionate, adverse effect on handicapped persons or any class of handicapped persons unless (i) the test or criterion, as...

Recent Trends in Advance Directives at Nursing Home Admission and One Year after Admission

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McAuley, William J.; Buchanan, Robert J.; Travis, Shirley S.; Wang, Suojin; Kim, MyungSuk

2006-01-01

Purpose: Advance directives are important planning and decision-making tools for individuals in nursing homes. Design and Methods: By using the nursing facility Minimum Data Set, we examined the prevalence of advance directives at admission and 12 months post-admission. Results: The prevalence of having any advance directive at admission declined…

Somnambulism: Emergency Department Admissions Due to Sleepwalking-Related Trauma

PubMed Central

Sauter, Thomas C.; Veerakatty, Sajitha; Haider, Dominik G.; Geiser, Thomas; Ricklin, Meret E.; Exadaktylos, Aristomenis K.

2016-01-01

Introduction Somnambulism is a state of dissociated consciousness, in which the affected person is partially asleep and partially awake. There is pervasive public opinion that sleepwalkers are protected from hurting themselves. There have been few scientific reports of trauma associated with somnambulism and no published investigations on the epidemiology or trauma patterns associated with somnambulism. Methods We included all emergency department (ED) admissions to University Hospital Inselspital, Berne, Switzerland, from January 1, 2000, until August 11, 2015, when the patient had suffered a trauma associated with somnambulism. Demographic data (age, gender, nationality) and medical data (mechanism of injury, final diagnosis, hospital admission, mortality and medication on admission) were included. Results Of 620,000 screened ED admissions, 11 were associated with trauma and sleepwalking. Two patients (18.2%) had a history of known non-rapid eye movement parasomnias. The leading cause of admission was falls. Four patients required hospital admission for orthopedic injuries needing further diagnostic testing and treatment (36.4%). These included two patients with multiple injuries (18.2%). None of the admitted patients died. Conclusion Although sleepwalking seems benign in the majority of cases and most of the few injured patients did not require hospitalization, major injuries are possible. When patients present with falls of unknown origin, the possibility should be evaluated that they were caused by somnambulism. PMID:27833677

Use of predefined biochemical admission profiles does not reduce the number of tests or total cost: a randomized-controlled pilot study.

PubMed

Pareek, Manan; Haidl, Felix; Folkestad, Lars; Brabrand, Mikkel

2014-02-01

The objective of this pilot study was to evaluate whether the use of predefined biochemical profiles as an alternative to individually ordered blood tests by the treating physicians resulted in fewer tests or a lower total cost. This was a randomized-controlled trial of 191 adult patients admitted to a medical admission unit. Upon admission, the patients were randomized to have their blood tests determined by either using a predefined profile (used routinely and designed by the department head) or ordered individually by the treating physician. All patients were initially assessed by junior physicians. We compared the number of tests, estimated total cost, and length of stay. Data are presented as median (interquartile range). Differences were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test and Fishers' exact test. Ninety-two patients were men, median age 65 years. Patients randomized to the use of the predefined profile had median 17 (14-22) blood tests drawn and patients randomized to physician discretion had median 17 (12-21) tests drawn (P=0.3). The median total cost of tests in the profile group was 618 DKK (493-803) and the cost in the physician group was 564 DKK (434-812) (P=0.19). Length of stay in the profile group was a median of 4 days (2-6 days) and 2 days (2-6 days) in the physician group (P=0.08). The use of a predefined blood test panel did not significantly affect the number of tests, total cost, or length of stay for acutely admitted medical patients compared with tests ordered at the discretion of the treating physician.

Mortality risks associated with emergency admissions during weekends and public holidays: an analysis of electronic health records.

PubMed

Walker, A Sarah; Mason, Amy; Quan, T Phuong; Fawcett, Nicola J; Watkinson, Peter; Llewelyn, Martin; Stoesser, Nicole; Finney, John; Davies, Jim; Wyllie, David H; Crook, Derrick W; Peto, Tim E A

2017-07-01

Weekend hospital admission is associated with increased mortality, but the contributions of varying illness severity and admission time to this weekend effect remain unexplored. We analysed unselected emergency admissions to four Oxford University National Health Service hospitals in the UK from Jan 1, 2006, to Dec 31, 2014. The primary outcome was death within 30 days of admission (in or out of hospital), analysed using Cox models measuring time from admission. The primary exposure was day of the week of admission. We adjusted for multiple confounders including demographics, comorbidities, and admission characteristics, incorporating non-linearity and interactions. Models then considered the effect of adjusting for 15 common haematology and biochemistry test results or proxies for hospital workload. 257 596 individuals underwent 503 938 emergency admissions. 18 313 (4·7%) patients admitted as weekday energency admissions and 6070 (5·1%) patients admitted as weekend emergency admissions died within 30 days (p<0·0001). 9347 individuals underwent 9707 emergency admissions on public holidays. 559 (5·8%) died within 30 days (p<0·0001 vs weekday). 15 routine haematology and biochemistry test results were highly prognostic for mortality. In 271 465 (53·9%) admissions with complete data, adjustment for test results explained 33% (95% CI 21 to 70) of the excess mortality associated with emergency admission on Saturdays compared with Wednesdays, 52% (lower 95% CI 34) on Sundays, and 87% (lower 95% CI 45) on public holidays after adjustment for standard patient characteristics. Excess mortality was predominantly restricted to admissions between 1100 h and 1500 h (p interaction =0·04). No hospital workload measure was independently associated with mortality (all p values >0·06). Adjustment for routine test results substantially reduced excess mortality associated with emergency admission at weekends and public holidays. Adjustment for patient-level factors not

Teaching Physics to Premedical Students

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Schantz, Hans

1997-04-01

The MCAT exam (taken by students seeking entry to medical school) is drastically different from the standard university course test. The MCAT emphasizes reading and analytic skills far more than quantitative analysis, even on the sections that test physics. I describe these differences, and outline an introductory physics curriculum focused to the special needs of pre-medical students.

44 CFR 68.9 - Admissible evidence.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 44 Emergency Management and Assistance 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Admissible evidence. 68.9 Section 68.9 Emergency Management and Assistance FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, DEPARTMENT OF... admissible. (b) Documentary and oral evidence shall be admissible. (c) Admissibility of non-expert testimony...

A Stunning Admission

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hu, Helen

2012-01-01

Few people set out to become admissions counselors, say people in the profession. But the field is requiring skills that are more demanding and varied than ever. And at a time when universities are looking especially hard at the bottom line, people in admissions need to constantly learn new things and make themselves indispensable. Counselors…

10 CFR 1042.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 1042.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied admission, or...

10 CFR 1042.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... ENERGY (GENERAL PROVISIONS) NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 1042.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied admission, or...

Modeling College Graduation GPA Considering Equity in Admissions: Evidence from the University of Puerto Rico

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Matos-Díaz, Horacio; García, Dwight

2014-01-01

Over concerns about private school students' advantages in standardized tests, beginning in 1995-96 the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) implemented a new admissions formula that reduced the weight they previously had in the General Admissions Index (GAI), on which its admissions decisions are based. This study seeks to determine the possible…

Potential Impact of the Addition of a Writing Assessment on Admissions Decisions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bridgeman, Brent; McHale, Frederick

1998-01-01

A study investigated the effect of adding a writing measure to the Graduate Management Admission Test on the gender/ethnic composition of an admissions pool. Standardized differences from the white male reference group were computed for men and women in four ethnic/minority groups: Whites, Asian-Americans, African-Americans, and…

29 CFR 36.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... Secretary of Labor NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 36.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied admission, or be...

29 CFR 36.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... Secretary of Labor NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 36.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied admission, or be...

7 CFR 501.2 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... 7 Agriculture 6 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Admission. 501.2 Section 501.2 Agriculture Regulations of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONDUCT ON U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, CLAY CENTER, NEBRASKA § 501.2 Admission. Admission to the...

45 CFR 1170.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 1170.42 Section 1170.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS... impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's aptitude...

45 CFR 605.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 605.42 Section 605.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

45 CFR 1170.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 1170.42 Section 1170.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS... impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's aptitude...

45 CFR 605.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 605.42 Section 605.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

45 CFR 1170.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 1170.42 Section 1170.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS... impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's aptitude...

45 CFR 605.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 605.42 Section 605.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

45 CFR 605.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 605.42 Section 605.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

45 CFR 1170.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 3 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 1170.42 Section 1170.42 Public Welfare Regulations Relating to Public Welfare (Continued) NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE ARTS... impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test results accurately reflect the applicant's aptitude...

Simulating patient-specific heart shape and motion using SPECT perfusion images with the MCAT phantom

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Faber, Tracy L.; Garcia, Ernest V.; Lalush, David S.; Segars, W. Paul; Tsui, Benjamin M.

2001-05-01

The spline-based Mathematical Cardiac Torso (MCAT) phantom is a realistic software simulation designed to simulate single photon emission computed tomographic (SPECT) data. It incorporates a heart model of known size and shape; thus, it is invaluable for measuring accuracy of acquisition, reconstruction, and post-processing routines. New functionality has been added by replacing the standard heart model with left ventricular (LV) epicaridal and endocardial surface points detected from actual patient SPECT perfusion studies. LV surfaces detected from standard post-processing quantitation programs are converted through interpolation in space and time into new B-spline models. Perfusion abnormalities are added to the model based on results of standard perfusion quantification. The new LV is translated and rotated to fit within existing atria and right ventricular models, which are scaled based on the size of the LV. Simulations were created for five different patients with myocardial infractions who had undergone SPECT perfusion imaging. Shape, size, and motion of the resulting activity map were compared visually to the original SPECT images. In all cases, size, shape and motion of simulated LVs matched well with the original images. Thus, realistic simulations with known physiologic and functional parameters can be created for evaluating efficacy of processing algorithms.

Size and clustering of ethnic groups and rates of psychiatric admission in England.

PubMed

Venkatesan, Gayathri; Weich, Scott; McBride, Orla; Twigg, Liz; Parsons, Helen; Scott, Jan; Bhui, Kamaldeep; Keown, Patrick

2018-05-11

Aims and methodTo compare rates of admission for different types of severe mental illness between ethnic groups, and to test the hypothesis that larger and more clustered ethnic groups will have lower admission rates. This was a descriptive study of routinely collected data from the National Health Service in England. There was an eightfold difference in admission rates between ethnic groups for schizophreniform and mania admissions, and a fivefold variation in depression admissions. On average, Black and minority ethnic (BME) groups had higher rates of admission for schizophreniform and mania admissions but not for depression. This increased rate was greatest in the teenage years and early adulthood. Larger ethnic group size was associated with lower admission rates. However, greater clustering was associated with higher admission rates.Clinical implicationsOur findings support the hypothesis that larger ethnic groups have lower rates of admission. This was a between-group comparison rather than within each group. Our findings do not support the hypothesis that more clustered groups have lower rates of admission. In fact, they suggest the opposite: groups with low clustering had lower admission rates. The BME population in the UK is increasing in size and becoming less clustered. Our results suggest that both of these factors should ameliorate the overrepresentation of BME groups among psychiatric in-patients. However, this overrepresentation continues, and our results suggest a possible explanation, namely, changes in the delivery of mental health services, particularly the marked reduction in admissions for depression.Declaration of interestNone.

Examining Critical Thinking Skills in Family Medicine Residents.

PubMed

Ross, David; Schipper, Shirley; Westbury, Chris; Linh Banh, Hoan; Loeffler, Kim; Allan, G Michael; Ross, Shelley

2016-02-01

Our objective was to determine the relationship between critical thinking skills and objective measures of academic success in a family medicine residency program. This prospective observational cohort study was set in a large Canadian family medicine residency program. Intervention was the California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST), administered at three points in residency: upon entry, at mid-point, and at graduation. Results from the CCTST, Canadian Residency Matching Service file, and interview scores were compared to other measures of academic performance (Medical Colleges Admission Test [MCAT] and College of Family Physicians of Canada [CCFP] certification examination results). For participants (n=60), significant positive correlations were found between critical thinking skills and performance on tests of knowledge. For the MCAT, CCTST scores correlated positively with full scores (n=24, r=0.57) as well as with each section score (verbal reasoning: r=0.59; physical sciences: r=0.64; biological sciences: r=0.54). For CCFP examination, CCTST correlated reliably with both sections (n=49, orals: r=0.34; short answer: r=0.47). Additionally, CCTST was a better predictor of performance on the CCFP exam than was the interview score at selection into the residency program (Fisher's r-to-z test, z=2.25). Success on a critical thinking skills exam was found to predict success on family medicine certification examinations. Given that critical thinking skills appear to be stable throughout residency training, including an assessment of critical thinking in the selection process may help identify applicants more likely to be successful on final certification exam.

Assessing Admission Interviews at Residential STEM Schools

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jones, Brent M.

2011-01-01

Seventeen state-sponsored residential math and science schools have been created across the country to direct talented teens toward STEM careers. Admission is selective, based on competitive grades, standardized test scores, and references. Most of the schools also require preadmission interviews. However, selection interviews may be challenged as…

45 CFR 84.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 84.42 Section 84.42 Public Welfare Department of Health and Human Services GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

45 CFR 84.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2013-10-01 2013-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 84.42 Section 84.42 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

45 CFR 84.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 84.42 Section 84.42 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

45 CFR 84.42 - Admissions and recruitment.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 45 Public Welfare 1 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Admissions and recruitment. 84.42 Section 84.42 Public Welfare DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE... administered to an applicant who has a handicap that impairs sensory, manual, or speaking skills, the test...

The Association Between Premedical Curricular and Admission Requirements and Medical School Performance and Residency Placement: A Study of Two Admission Routes.

PubMed

George, Paul; Park, Yoon Soo; Ip, Julianne; Gruppuso, Philip A; Adashi, Eli Y

2016-03-01

The curricular elements of undergraduate premedical education are the subject of an ongoing debate. The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University (AMS) matriculates students via the traditional premedical route (TPM) and an eight-year baccalaureate/MD program-the Program in Liberal Medical Education (PLME)-which provides students with a broad and liberal education. Using the juxtaposition of these two admission routes, the authors aimed to determine whether there is an association between highly distinct premedical curricular and admission requirements and medical school performance and residency placement. The cohorts studied included all of the PLME (n = 295) and TPM (n = 215) students who graduated from the AMS between 2010 and 2015. Outcome variables consisted of multiple measures of medical school performance, including standardized multiple-choice examination scores and honors grades, and residency placement. The authors employed unadjusted tests of averages and proportions (independent t tests and chi-square tests) to compare variables. The TPM students attained marginally, but statistically significantly, higher average scores on standardized multiple-choice examinations than their PLME counterparts. The number of undergraduate premedical science courses completed by PLME students accounted for less than 4% of the variance in key metrics of medical school performance. The residency placement record of the PLME and TPM cohorts proved comparable. These findings suggest that the association between medical school performance and residency placement and undergraduate premedical curricular and admission requirements is weak. Further study is needed to determine the optimal premedical preparation of students.

Assessment of Communications-related Admissions Criteria in a Three-year Pharmacy Program.

PubMed

Parmar, Jayesh R; Tejada, Frederick R; Lang, Lynn A; Purnell, Miriam; Acedera, Lisa; Ngonga, Ferdinand

2015-08-25

To determine if there is a correlation between TOEFL and other admissions criteria that assess communications skills (ie, PCAT variables: verbal, reading, essay, and composite), interview, and observational scores and to evaluate TOEFL and these admissions criteria as predictors of academic performance. Statistical analyses included two sample t tests, multiple regression and Pearson's correlations for parametric variables, and Mann-Whitney U for nonparametric variables, which were conducted on the retrospective data of 162 students, 57 of whom were foreign-born. The multiple regression model of the other admissions criteria on TOEFL was significant. There was no significant correlation between TOEFL scores and academic performance. However, significant correlations were found between the other admissions criteria and academic performance. Since TOEFL is not a significant predictor of either communication skills or academic success of foreign-born PharmD students in the program, it may be eliminated as an admissions criterion.

The effects of daily weather variables on psychosis admissions to psychiatric hospitals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McWilliams, Stephen; Kinsella, Anthony; O'Callaghan, Eadbhard

2013-07-01

Several studies have noted seasonal variations in admission rates of patients with psychotic illnesses. However, the changeable daily meteorological patterns within seasons have never been examined in any great depth in the context of admission rates. A handful of small studies have posed interesting questions regarding a potential link between psychiatric admission rates and meteorological variables such as environmental temperature (especially heat waves) and sunshine. In this study, we used simple non-parametric testing and more complex ARIMA and time-series regression analysis to examine whether daily meteorological patterns (wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, rainfall, sunshine, sunlight and temperature) exert an influence on admission rates for psychotic disorders across 12 regions in Ireland. Although there were some weak but interesting trends for temperature, barometric pressure and sunshine, the meteorological patterns ultimately did not exert a clinically significant influence over admissions for psychosis. Further analysis is needed.

Admission to Women’s Crisis Houses or to Psychiatric Wards: Women’s Pathways to Admission

PubMed Central

Howard, Louise M.; Rigon, Elena; Cole, Laura; Lawlor, Caroline; Johnson, Sonia

2009-01-01

Objective This study compared the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and pathways to admission for women admitted to women’s crisis houses and to psychiatric hospitals. A women’s crisis house is a residential mental health crisis facility for women who would otherwise be considered for voluntary hospital admission. Methods A survey of all 388 female admissions to women’s crisis houses and psychiatric hospitals in four boroughs of London during a 12-week period in 2006 was conducted with questionnaires administered to key workers involved in the admissions. Results Pathways to admission were significantly less complex for women admitted to the crisis houses (fewer preadmission contacts with police, emergency departments, and other services). Women admitted to psychiatric wards were more likely to require supervision or observation. A multivariate analysis of data for the 245 voluntary admissions indicated that women admitted to women’s crisis houses were significantly less likely to have a care coordinator (odds ratio [OR]=.528) or to have gone to an accident and emergency department (OR=.214) before admission. No other differences were found between the two groups. Conclusions Pathways to admission were somewhat different for women admitted to women’s crisis houses, but few clinical or sociodemographic differences were found between the two groups. Women’s crisis houses may be a viable alternative to traditional wards for voluntary patients not needing intensive supervision and observation. Research should examine whether women’s crisis houses are as effective as traditional inpatient services in treating women with acute psychiatric problems. PMID:19033172

Modernizing quality of life assessment: development of a multidimensional computerized adaptive questionnaire for patients with schizophrenia.

PubMed

Michel, Pierre; Baumstarck, Karine; Lancon, Christophe; Ghattas, Badih; Loundou, Anderson; Auquier, Pascal; Boyer, Laurent

2018-04-01

Quality of life (QoL) is still assessed using paper-based and fixed-length questionnaires, which is one reason why QoL measurements have not been routinely implemented in clinical practice. Providing new QoL measures that combine computer technology with modern measurement theory may enhance their clinical use. The aim of this study was to develop a QoL multidimensional computerized adaptive test (MCAT), the SQoL-MCAT, from the fixed-length SQoL questionnaire for patients with schizophrenia. In this multicentre cross-sectional study, we collected sociodemographic information, clinical characteristics (i.e., duration of illness, the PANSS, and the Calgary Depression Scale), and quality of life (i.e., SQoL). The development of the SQoL-CAT was divided into three stages: (1) multidimensional item response theory (MIRT) analysis, (2) multidimensional computerized adaptive test (MCAT) simulations with analyses of accuracy and precision, and (3) external validity. Five hundred and seventeen patients participated in this study. The MIRT analysis found that all items displayed good fit with the multidimensional graded response model, with satisfactory reliability for each dimension. The SQoL-MCAT was 39% shorter than the fixed-length SQoL questionnaire and had satisfactory accuracy (levels of correlation >0.9) and precision (standard error of measurement <0.55 and root mean square error <0.3). External validity was confirmed via correlations between the SQoL-MCAT dimension scores and symptomatology scores. The SQoL-MCAT is the first computerized adaptive QoL questionnaire for patients with schizophrenia. Tailored for patient characteristics and significantly shorter than the paper-based version, the SQoL-MCAT may improve the feasibility of assessing QoL in clinical practice.

Professional perspectives on systemic barriers to admission avoidance: learning from a system dynamics study of older people's admission pathways.

PubMed

Walsh, Bronagh; Lattimer, Valerie; Wintrup, Julie; Brailsford, Sally

2015-06-01

There is debate worldwide about the best way to manage increased healthcare demand within ageing populations, particularly rising rates of unplanned and avoidable hospital admissions. To understand health and social care professionals' perspectives on barriers to admission avoidance throughout the admissions journey, in particular: the causes of avoidable admissions in older people; drivers of admission and barriers to use of admission avoidance strategies; and improvements to reduce unnecessary admissions. A qualitative framework analysis of interview data from a System dynamics (SD) modelling study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty health and social care professionals with experience of older people's admissions. The interviews were used to build understanding of factors facilitating or hindering admission avoidance across the admissions system. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Three overarching themes emerged: understanding the needs of the patient group; understanding the whole system; and systemwide access to expertise in care of older people. There were diverse views on the underlying reasons for avoidable admissions and recognition of the need for whole-system approaches to service redesign. Participants recommended system redesign that recognises the specific needs of older people, but there was no consensus on underlying patient needs or specific service developments. Access to expertise in management of older and frailer patients was seen as a barrier to admission avoidance throughout the system. Providing access to expertise and leadership in care of frail older people across the admissions system presents a challenge for service managers and nurse educators but is seen as a prerequisite for effective admission avoidance. System redesign to meet the needs of frail older people requires agreement on causes of avoidable admission and underlying patient needs. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Do Traditional Admissions Criteria Reflect Applicant Creativity?

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pretz, Jean E.; Kaufman, James C.

2017-01-01

College admissions decisions have traditionally focused on high school academic performance and standardized test scores. An ongoing debate is the validity of these measures for predicting success in college; part of this debate includes how success is defined. One potential way of defining college success is a student's creative accomplishments.…

Effective admissions practices to achieve greater student diversity in dental schools.

PubMed

Price, Shelia S; Grant-Mills, Donna

2010-10-01

In this chapter we describe the institutional and policy-level strategies that dental schools in the Pipeline, Profession, and Practice: Community-Based Dental Education program used to modify their admissions practices to increase the diversity of their student bodies. Schools developed and used clear statements recognizing the value of diversity. They incorporated recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings regarding educational diversity into their revised admissions practices; these rulings cited diversity as both a "compelling interest" and its use in only "narrowly tailored" circumstances. We make a case for admissions decisions based on a comprehensive evaluation that balances the quantitative and qualitative qualities of a candidate. It refutes the practice of overreliance on standardized tests by detailing the whole-file review process to measure merit and professional promise. Also described is a range of noncognitive variables (e.g., leadership, ability to sustain academic achievement with competing priorities, volunteerism, communication, social background, and disadvantaged status) that schools can take into consideration in admissions decisions. Admissions committees can tie this comprehensive review of candidates into the case for promoting cross-cultural understanding and enhanced competence to provide care to patients from diverse backgrounds. In addition, the chapter reviews the challenges schools face in developing admissions policies and procedures that reflect the university's mission for diversity. It addresses the importance of a diverse composition of the admissions committee. It also describes how tailored workshops and technical assistance for admissions committees can help schools improve their student diversity and how admissions committees can engage in a process of periodic review of their diversity objectives in relationship to the school's mission.

Assessment of Communications-related Admissions Criteria in a Three-year Pharmacy Program

PubMed Central

Tejada, Frederick R.; Lang, Lynn A.; Purnell, Miriam; Acedera, Lisa; Ngonga, Ferdinand

2015-01-01

Objective. To determine if there is a correlation between TOEFL and other admissions criteria that assess communications skills (ie, PCAT variables: verbal, reading, essay, and composite), interview, and observational scores and to evaluate TOEFL and these admissions criteria as predictors of academic performance. Methods. Statistical analyses included two sample t tests, multiple regression and Pearson’s correlations for parametric variables, and Mann-Whitney U for nonparametric variables, which were conducted on the retrospective data of 162 students, 57 of whom were foreign-born. Results. The multiple regression model of the other admissions criteria on TOEFL was significant. There was no significant correlation between TOEFL scores and academic performance. However, significant correlations were found between the other admissions criteria and academic performance. Conclusion. Since TOEFL is not a significant predictor of either communication skills or academic success of foreign-born PharmD students in the program, it may be eliminated as an admissions criterion. PMID:26430273

Implicit Racial Bias in Medical School Admissions.

PubMed

Capers, Quinn; Clinchot, Daniel; McDougle, Leon; Greenwald, Anthony G

2017-03-01

Implicit white race preference has been associated with discrimination in the education, criminal justice, and health care systems and could impede the entry of African Americans into the medical profession, where they and other minorities remain underrepresented. Little is known about implicit racial bias in medical school admissions committees. To measure implicit racial bias, all 140 members of the Ohio State University College of Medicine (OSUCOM) admissions committee took the black-white implicit association test (IAT) prior to the 2012-2013 cycle. Results were collated by gender and student versus faculty status. To record their impressions of the impact of the IAT on the admissions process, members took a survey at the end of the cycle, which 100 (71%) completed. All groups (men, women, students, faculty) displayed significant levels of implicit white preference; men (d = 0.697) and faculty (d = 0.820) had the largest bias measures (P < .001). Most survey respondents (67%) thought the IAT might be helpful in reducing bias, 48% were conscious of their individual results when interviewing candidates in the next cycle, and 21% reported knowledge of their IAT results impacted their admissions decisions in the subsequent cycle. The class that matriculated following the IAT exercise was the most diverse in OSUCOM's history at that time. Future directions include preceding and following the IAT with more robust reflection and education on unconscious bias. The authors join others in calling for an examination of bias at all levels of academic medicine.

Technology in International Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Elizabeth

2012-01-01

In a relatively short time, technology applications have become an essential feature of the admissions business. They make the jobs of international admissions professionals easier in many ways, allowing for more robust communication with applicants and counselors, a streamlined application process, and quicker access to information about…

Rapid microbiological screening for tuberculosis in HIV-positive patients on the first day of acute hospital admission by systematic testing of urine samples using Xpert MTB/RIF: a prospective cohort in South Africa.

PubMed

Lawn, Stephen D; Kerkhoff, Andrew D; Burton, Rosie; Schutz, Charlotte; van Wyk, Gavin; Vogt, Monica; Pahlana, Pearl; Nicol, Mark P; Meintjes, Graeme

2015-08-14

Autopsy studies of HIV/AIDS-related hospital deaths in sub-Saharan Africa reveal frequent failure of pre-mortem diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB), which is found in 34-64 % of adult cadavers. We determined the overall prevalence and predictors of TB among consecutive unselected HIV-positive adults requiring acute hospital admission and the comparative diagnostic yield obtained by screening urine and sputum samples obtained on day 1 of admission with Xpert MTB/RIF (Xpert). To determine overall TB prevalence accurately, comprehensive clinical sampling (sputum, urine, blood plus other relevant samples) was done and TB was defined by detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in any sample using Xpert and/or mycobacterial liquid culture. To evaluate a rapid screening strategy, we compared the diagnostic yield of Xpert testing sputum samples and urine samples obtained with assistance from a respiratory study nurse in the first 24 h of admission. Unselected HIV-positive acute adult new medical admissions (n = 427) who were not receiving TB treatment were enrolled irrespective of clinical presentation or symptom profile. From 2,391 cultures and Xpert tests done (mean, 5.6 tests/patient) on 1,745 samples (mean, 4.1 samples/patient), TB was diagnosed in 139 patients (median CD4 cell count, 80 cells/μL). TB prevalence was very high (32.6 %; 95 % CI, 28.1-37.2 %; 139/427). However, patient symptoms and risk factors were poorly predictive for TB. Overall, ≥1 non-respiratory sample(s) tested positive in 115/139 (83 %) of all TB cases, including positive blood cultures in 41/139 (29.5 %) of TB cases. In the first 24 h of admission, sputum (spot and/or induced samples) and urine were obtainable from 37.0 % and 99.5 % of patients, respectively (P <0.001). From these, the proportions of total TB cases (n = 139) that were diagnosed by Xpert testing sputum, urine or both sputum and urine combined within the first 24 h were 39/139 (28.1 %), 89/139 (64.0 %) and 108/139 (77.7 %) cases

Quantitative structure-activity relationship analysis of the pharmacology of para-substituted methcathinone analogues.

PubMed

Bonano, J S; Banks, M L; Kolanos, R; Sakloth, F; Barnier, M L; Glennon, R A; Cozzi, N V; Partilla, J S; Baumann, M H; Negus, S S

2015-05-01

Methcathinone (MCAT) is a potent monoamine releaser and parent compound to emerging drugs of abuse including mephedrone (4-CH3 MCAT), the para-methyl analogue of MCAT. This study examined quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) for MCAT and six para-substituted MCAT analogues on (a) in vitro potency to promote monoamine release via dopamine and serotonin transporters (DAT and SERT, respectively), and (b) in vivo modulation of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), a behavioural procedure used to evaluate abuse potential. Neurochemical and behavioural effects were correlated with steric (Es ), electronic (σp ) and lipophilic (πp ) parameters of the para substituents. For neurochemical studies, drug effects on monoamine release through DAT and SERT were evaluated in rat brain synaptosomes. For behavioural studies, drug effects were tested in male Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with electrodes targeting the medial forebrain bundle and trained to lever-press for electrical brain stimulation. MCAT and all six para-substituted analogues increased monoamine release via DAT and SERT and dose- and time-dependently modulated ICSS. In vitro selectivity for DAT versus SERT correlated with in vivo efficacy to produce abuse-related ICSS facilitation. In addition, the Es values of the para substituents correlated with both selectivity for DAT versus SERT and magnitude of ICSS facilitation. Selectivity for DAT versus SERT in vitro is a key determinant of abuse-related ICSS facilitation by these MCAT analogues, and steric aspects of the para substituent of the MCAT scaffold (indicated by Es ) are key determinants of this selectivity. © 2014 The British Pharmacological Society.

Quantitative structure–activity relationship analysis of the pharmacology of para-substituted methcathinone analogues

PubMed Central

Bonano, J S; Banks, M L; Kolanos, R; Sakloth, F; Barnier, M L; Glennon, R A; Cozzi, N V; Partilla, J S; Baumann, M H; Negus, S S

2015-01-01

Background and Purpose Methcathinone (MCAT) is a potent monoamine releaser and parent compound to emerging drugs of abuse including mephedrone (4-CH3 MCAT), the para-methyl analogue of MCAT. This study examined quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) for MCAT and six para-substituted MCAT analogues on (a) in vitro potency to promote monoamine release via dopamine and serotonin transporters (DAT and SERT, respectively), and (b) in vivo modulation of intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), a behavioural procedure used to evaluate abuse potential. Neurochemical and behavioural effects were correlated with steric (Es), electronic (σp) and lipophilic (πp) parameters of the para substituents. Experimental Approach For neurochemical studies, drug effects on monoamine release through DAT and SERT were evaluated in rat brain synaptosomes. For behavioural studies, drug effects were tested in male Sprague-Dawley rats implanted with electrodes targeting the medial forebrain bundle and trained to lever-press for electrical brain stimulation. Key Results MCAT and all six para-substituted analogues increased monoamine release via DAT and SERT and dose- and time-dependently modulated ICSS. In vitro selectivity for DAT versus SERT correlated with in vivo efficacy to produce abuse-related ICSS facilitation. In addition, the Es values of the para substituents correlated with both selectivity for DAT versus SERT and magnitude of ICSS facilitation. Conclusions and Implications Selectivity for DAT versus SERT in vitro is a key determinant of abuse-related ICSS facilitation by these MCAT analogues, and steric aspects of the para substituent of the MCAT scaffold (indicated by Es) are key determinants of this selectivity. PMID:25438806

Applicability of internet search index for asthma admission forecast using machine learning.

PubMed

Luo, Li; Liao, Chengcheng; Zhang, Fengyi; Zhang, Wei; Li, Chunyang; Qiu, Zhixin; Huang, Debin

2018-04-15

This study aimed to determine whether a search index could provide insight into trends in asthma admission in China. An Internet search index is a powerful tool to monitor and predict epidemic outbreaks. However, whether using an internet search index can significantly improve asthma admissions forecasts remains unknown. The long-term goal is to develop a surveillance system to help early detection and interventions for asthma and to avoid asthma health care resource shortages in advance. In this study, we used a search index combined with air pollution data, weather data, and historical admissions data to forecast asthma admissions using machine learning. Results demonstrated that the best area under the curve in the test set that can be achieved is 0.832, using all predictors mentioned earlier. A search index is a powerful predictor in asthma admissions forecast, and a recent search index can reflect current asthma admissions with a lag-effect to a certain extent. The addition of a real-time, easily accessible search index improves forecasting capabilities and demonstrates the predictive potential of search index. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Comparison of the effectiveness of a PAMG-1 test and standard clinical assessment in the prediction of preterm birth and reduction of unnecessary hospital admissions.

PubMed

Lotfi, Ghassan; Faraz, Saima; Nasir, Razan; Somini, Sreenisha; Abdeldayem, Rasha M; Koratkar, Raghunandini; Alsawalhi, Nadia; Ammar, Abeer

2017-10-26

The purpose of this study is to first compare the performance of the PAMG-1 biomarker test to that of standard clinical assessment (SCA) for the risk assessment of spontaneous preterm delivery (sPTD) among women with symptoms of preterm labor (PTL) and then calculate the potential impact on unnecessary admission reduction. Patients of gestational age 24 0/7 -36 6/7 with PTL symptoms, cervical dilatation ≤3 cm, no intercourse within 24 h, and clinically intact membranes were recruited consecutively into this prospective observational study. Specificity (SP), sensitivity (SN), positive-predictive value (PPV), and negative-predictive value (NPV) for the PAMG-1 test and SCA, for which a positive result was defined as patient admission, for predicting spontaneous delivery ≤7 and ≤14 d of presentation were calculated. One hundred and forty-eight patients were included in the analysis, 132 of which had both SCA and PAMG-1 results available. For the prediction of sPTD ≤7 d for SCA and PAMG-1, the PPV and NPV were 10% and 100%, and 71% and 98%, respectively. For prediction of sPTD ≤14 d for SCA and PAMG-1, the PPV and NPV were 14% and 100%, and 86% and 96%, respectively. Sixty-one per cent (81/132) of patients were admitted for treatment and/or observation. Our study reinforces the critical role of the PAMG-1 biomarker test to aid in risk assessment of imminent spontaneous preterm delivery in patients with symptoms of PTL. The PAMG-1 test was found to be statistically superior to standard clinical assessment alone, with respect to specificity. Based on our data, the introduction of a PAMG-1 test result into clinical decision making could reduce up to 91% of unnecessary admissions for women presenting with threatened preterm labor.

Mitochondrial antioxidative capacity regulates muscle glucose uptake in the conscious mouse: effect of exercise and diet.

PubMed

Kang, Li; Lustig, Mary E; Bonner, Jeffrey S; Lee-Young, Robert S; Mayes, Wesley H; James, Freyja D; Lin, Chien-Te; Perry, Christopher G R; Anderson, Ethan J; Neufer, P Darrell; Wasserman, David H

2012-10-15

The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that exercise-stimulated muscle glucose uptake (MGU) is augmented by increasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) scavenging capacity. This hypothesis was tested in genetically altered mice fed chow or a high-fat (HF) diet that accelerates mtROS formation. Mice overexpressing SOD2 (sod2(Tg)), mitochondria-targeted catalase (mcat(Tg)), and combined SOD2 and mCAT (mtAO) were used to increase mtROS scavenging. mtROS was assessed by the H(2)O(2) emitting potential (JH(2)O(2)) in muscle fibers. sod2(Tg) did not decrease JH(2)O(2) in chow-fed mice, but decreased JH(2)O(2) in HF-fed mice. mcat(Tg) and mtAO decreased JH(2)O(2) in both chow- and HF-fed mice. In parallel, the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) was unaltered in sod2(Tg) in chow-fed mice, but was increased in HF-fed sod2(Tg) and both chow- and HF-fed mcat(Tg) and mtAO. Nitrotyrosine, a marker of NO-dependent, reactive nitrogen species (RNS)-induced nitrative stress, was decreased in both chow- and HF-fed sod2(Tg), mcat(Tg), and mtAO mice. This effect was not changed with exercise. Kg, an index of MGU was assessed using 2-[(14)C]-deoxyglucose during exercise. In chow-fed mice, sod2(Tg), mcat(Tg), and mtAO increased exercise Kg compared with wild types. Exercise Kg was also augmented in HF-fed sod2(Tg) and mcat(Tg) mice but unchanged in HF-fed mtAO mice. In conclusion, mtROS scavenging is a key regulator of exercise-mediated MGU and this regulation depends on nutritional state.

32 CFR 575.2 - Admission; general.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... MILITARY ACADEMY § 575.2 Admission; general. (a) In one major respect, the requirements for admission to the United States Military Academy differ from the normal requirements for admission to a civilian college or university; each candidate must obtain an official nomination to the Academy. The young person...

Reasons for refusal of admission to intensive care and impact on mortality.

PubMed

Iapichino, Gaetano; Corbella, Davide; Minelli, Cosetta; Mills, Gary H; Artigas, Antonio; Edbooke, David L; Pezzi, Angelo; Kesecioglu, Jozef; Patroniti, Nicolò; Baras, Mario; Sprung, Charles L

2010-10-01

To identify factors influencing triage decisions and investigate whether admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) could reduce mortality compared with treatment on the ward. A multicentre cohort study in 11 university hospitals from seven countries, evaluating triage decisions and outcomes of patients referred for admission to ICU who were either accepted, or refused and treated on the ward. Confounding in the estimation of the effect of ICU admission on mortality was controlled by use of a propensity score approach, which adjusted for the probability of being admitted. Variability across centres was accounted for in both analyses of factors influencing ICU admission and effect of ICU admission on mortality. Eligible were 8,616 triages in 7,877 patients referred for ICU admission. Variables positively associated with probability of being admitted to ICU included: ventilators in ward; bed availability; Karnofsky score; absence of comorbidity; presence of haematological malignancy; emergency surgery and elective surgery (versus medical treatment); trauma, vascular involvement, liver involvement; acute physiologic score II; ICU treatment (versus ICU observation). Multiple triages during patient's hospital stay and age were negatively associated with ICU admission. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of the model was 0.83 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.81-0.84], with Hosmer-Lemeshow test P = 0.300. ICU admission was associated with a statistically significant reduction of both 28-day mortality [odds ratio (OR): 0.73; 95% CI: 0.62-0.87] and 90-day mortality (0.79; 0.66-0.93). The benefit of ICU admission increased substantially in patients with greater severity of illness. We suggest that intensivists take great care to avoid ICU admission of patients judged not severe enough for ICU or with low performance status, and they tend to admit surgical patients more readily than medical patients. Interestingly, they do not judge age per se as

An Admissions Officer's Credentials

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Chronicle of Higher Education, 2007

2007-01-01

Marilee Jones has resigned as a dean of admissions at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology after admitting that she had misrepresented her academic degrees when first applying to work at the university in 1979. As one of the nation's most prominent admissions officers--and a leader in the movement to make the application process less…

College Admissions Policies for the 1970's.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Entrance Examination Board, New York, NY.

The papers included in this collection are (1) "Problems and Issues Confronting the Admissions Community" by Clyde Vroman; (2) "Frozen Assumptions in Admissions" by B. Alden Thresher; (3) "The Effect of Federal Programs on Admissions Policies" by John F. Morse; (4) "State Plans for Higher Education and Their Influence on Admissions" by Charles W.…

Impact of student ethnicity and primary childhood language on communication skill assessment in a clinical performance examination.

PubMed

Fernandez, Alicia; Wang, Frances; Braveman, Melissa; Finkas, Lindsay K; Hauer, Karen E

2007-08-01

Clinical performance examinations (CPX) with standardized patients (SPs) have become a preferred method to assess communication skills in US medical schools. Little is known about how trainees' backgrounds impact CPX performance. The objective of this paper is to examine the impact of student ethnicity, primary childhood language, and experience of diversity on the communication scores of a high-stakes CPX using SPs. This research was designed as an observational study. The participants of this study were third-year medical students at one US medical school. The measurements used in this study were CPX scores from mandatory exam, student demographics and experience with diversity measured by self-report on a survey, and Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores. A total of 135 students participated. Asian and black students scored lower than white students on the communication portion of the CPX by approximately half a standard deviation (Asian, 67.4%; black, 64.4%; white, 69.4%, p < .05). There were no differences by ethnicity on history/physical exam scores. Multivariate analysis controlling for MCAT verbal scores reduced ethnic differences in communication scores (Asian-white mean differences = 1.95, p = 0.02), but Asian-white differences were eliminated only after sequential models included primary childhood language (difference = 0.57, p = 0.6). Even after controlling for English language knowledge as measured in MCAT verbal scores, speaking a primary childhood language other than English is associated with lower CPX communication scores for Asian students. While poorer communication skills cannot be ruled out, SP exams may contain measurement bias associated with differences in childhood language or culture. Caution is indicated when interpreting CPX communication scores among diverse examinees.

[Comprehensive Assessment of Psychiatric Residents: An Addition to the Program Admission Process].

PubMed

Luis, E Jaramillo G; Elena, Martín C

2012-01-01

The training of medical specialists is a long and complex process. Its purpose is to guarantee the society that they are the right professionals to meet the health needs of the population. The first step to ensure this objective is the admission process. In psychiatry this process, monitoring resident students and the criteria for each one are different in each country. Admission in Colombia is a heterogeneous process, not standardized, which varies greatly from one university to another, even between private and public universities. At the National University of Colombia, the admissions process is handled by the Admissions Office and includes: a written test for which you must obtain a minimum score, a resume rating and an interview. The Teaching Committee and the Department of Psychiatry considered the admission procedure in general to be good, but in need of refinement. Due to the experience of some teachers and given the current rules, a "comprehensive assessment" for master and doctoral students was required and in 1996 it was decided that this method of assessment for admission to a specialization in Psychiatry would serve to complement the admission process. The article describes the experience of the process and its outcomes, strengths and weaknesses. Copyright © 2012 Asociación Colombiana de Psiquiatría. Publicado por Elsevier España. All rights reserved.

Transgenic Mouse Model for Reducing Oxidative Damage in Bone

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schreurs, A.-S.; Torres, S.; Truong, T.; Kumar, A.; Alwood, J. S.; Limoli, C. L.; Globus, R. K.

2014-01-01

Exposure to musculoskeletal disuse and radiation result in bone loss; we hypothesized that these catabolic treatments cause excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), and thereby alter the tight balance between bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts, culminating in bone loss. To test this, we used transgenic mice which over-express the human gene for catalase, targeted to mitochondria (MCAT). Catalase is an anti-oxidant that converts the ROS hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. MCAT mice were shown previously to display reduced mitochondrial oxidative stress and radiosensitivity of the CNS compared to wild type controls (WT). As expected, MCAT mice expressed the transgene in skeletal tissue, and in marrow-derived osteoblasts and osteoclast precursors cultured ex vivo, and also showed greater catalase activity compared to wildtype (WT) mice (3-6 fold). Colony expansion in marrow cells cultured under osteoblastogenic conditions was 2-fold greater in the MCAT mice compared to WT mice, while the extent of mineralization was unaffected. MCAT mice had slightly longer tibiae than WT mice (2%, P less than 0.01), although cortical bone area was slightly lower in MCAT mice than WT mice (10%, p=0.09). To challenge the skeletal system, mice were treated by exposure to combined disuse (2 wk Hindlimb Unloading) and total body irradiation Cs(137) (2 Gy, 0.8 Gy/min), then bone parameters were analyzed by 2-factor ANOVA to detect possible interaction effects. Treatment caused a 2-fold increase (p=0.015) in malondialdehyde levels of bone tissue (ELISA) in WT mice, but had no effect in MCAT mice. These findings indicate that the transgene conferred protection from oxidative damage caused by treatment. Unexpected differences between WT and MCAT mice emerged in skeletal responses to treatment.. In WT mice, treatment did not alter osteoblastogenesis, cortical bone area, moment of inertia, or bone perimeter, whereas in MCAT mice, treatment increased these

Playing the Private College Admissions Game.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moll, Richard

Truths and myths involved with student admission to Ivy League colleges are revealed by a director of admissions whose experience includes admission work at Vassar, Bowdoin, Harvard and Yale. Several basic concepts are offered as fact: most private colleges in America today are not highly selective; many colleges pose as being more selective than…

The Impact of Flagging on the Admission Process.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Cahalan-Laitusis, Cara; Mandinach, Ellen B.; Camara, Wayne J.

2003-01-01

Study explored issues surrounding flagging test scores taken under non-standard conditions and how the admission process could better serve students with disabilities. Respondents to survey felt current system was not adequately serving subgroups of students, believing some non-disabled students were manipulating the system to gain an advantage on…

Equivalences between nonuniform exponential dichotomy and admissibility

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhou, Linfeng; Lu, Kening; Zhang, Weinian

2017-01-01

Relationship between exponential dichotomies and admissibility of function classes is a significant problem for hyperbolic dynamical systems. It was proved that a nonuniform exponential dichotomy implies several admissible pairs of function classes and conversely some admissible pairs were found to imply a nonuniform exponential dichotomy. In this paper we find an appropriate admissible pair of classes of Lyapunov bounded functions which is equivalent to the existence of nonuniform exponential dichotomy on half-lines R± separately, on both half-lines R± simultaneously, and on the whole line R. Additionally, the maximal admissibility is proved in the case on both half-lines R± simultaneously.

Design and Experimental Performance of a Two Stage Partial Admission Turbine, Task B.1/B.4

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sutton, R. F.; Boynton, J. L.; Akian, R. A.; Shea, Dan; Roschak, Edmund; Rojas, Lou; Orr, Linsey; Davis, Linda; King, Brad; Bubel, Bill

1992-01-01

A three-inch mean diameter, two-stage turbine with partial admission in each stage was experimentally investigated over a range of admissions and angular orientations of admission arcs. Three configurations were tested in which first stage admission varied from 37.4 percent (10 of 29 passages open, 5 per side) to 6.9 percent (2 open, 1 per side). Corresponding second stage admissions were 45.2 percent (14 of 31 passages open, 7 per side) and 12.9 percent (4 open, 2 per side). Angular positions of the second stage admission arcs with respect to the first stage varied over a range of 70 degrees. Design and off-design efficiency and flow characteristics for the three configurations are presented. The results indicated that peak efficiency and the corresponding isentropic velocity ratio decreased as the arcs of admission were decreased. Both efficiency and flow characteristics were sensitive to the second stage nozzle orientation angles.

A perspective on medical school admission research and practice over the last 25 years.

PubMed

Kreiter, Clarence D; Axelson, Rick D

2013-01-01

Over the last 25 years a large body of research has investigated how best to select applicants to study medicine. Although these studies have inspired little actual change in admission practice, the implications of this research are substantial. Five areas of inquiry are discussed: (1) the interview and related techniques, (2) admission tests, (3) other measures of personal competencies, (4) the decision process, and (5) defining and measuring the criterion. In each of these areas we summarize consequential developments and discuss their implication for improving practice. (1) The traditional interview has been shown to lack both reliability and validity. Alternatives have been developed that display promising measurement characteristics. (2) Admission test scores have been shown to predict academic and clinical performance and are generally the most useful measures obtained about an applicant. (3) Due to the high-stakes nature of the admission decision, it is difficult to support a logical validity argument for the use of personality tests. Although standardized letters of recommendation appear to offer some promise, more research is needed. (4) The methods used to make the selection decision should be responsive to validity research on how best to utilize applicant information. (5) Few resources have been invested in obtaining valid criterion measures. Future research might profitably focus on composite score as a method for generating a measure of a physician's career success. There are a number of social and organization factors that resist evidence-based change. However, research over the last 25 years does present important findings that could be used to improve the admission process.

40 CFR 5.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY GENERAL NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex... of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to...

45 CFR 86.21 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex... of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to...

45 CFR 86.21 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex... of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to...

45 CFR 86.21 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Department of Health and Human Services GENERAL ADMINISTRATION NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex... of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to...

Comparative values of medical school assessments in the prediction of internship performance.

PubMed

Lee, Ming; Vermillion, Michelle

2018-02-01

Multiple undergraduate achievements have been used for graduate admission consideration. Their relative values in the prediction of residency performance are not clear. This study compared the contributions of major undergraduate assessments to the prediction of internship performance. Internship performance ratings of the graduates of a medical school were collected from 2012 to 2015. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to examine the predictive values of undergraduate measures assessing basic and clinical sciences knowledge and clinical performances, after controlling for differences in the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). Four hundred eighty (75%) graduates' archived data were used in the study. Analyses revealed that clinical competencies, assessed by the USMLE Step 2 CK, NBME medicine exam, and an eight-station objective structured clinical examination (OSCE), were strong predictors of internship performance. Neither the USMLE Step 1 nor the inpatient internal medicine clerkship evaluation predicted internship performance. The undergraduate assessments as a whole showed a significant collective relationship with internship performance (ΔR 2  = 0.12, p < 0.001). The study supports the use of clinical competency assessments, instead of pre-clinical measures, in graduate admission consideration. It also provides validity evidence for OSCE scores in the prediction of workplace performance.

Legacy Status as a Signal in College Admissions

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-01-01

but no equivalent procedure for probit. 24 Hausman and McFadden (1984). This test is performed using the suest command in Stata to verify that...312. Attiyeh, Gregory and Richard Attiyeh. "Testing for Bias in Graduate School Admissions." The Journal of Human Resources. Vol. 32, No. 3 ( Summer ...John. "The Effects of Public Policies on the Demand for Higher Education." The Journal of Human Resources. Vol. 12, No. 3 ( Summer 1977), 285-307

Reliable Record Matching for a College Admissions System.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fitt, Paul D.

Prospective student data, supplied by various national college testing and student search services, can be matched with existing student records in a college admissions database. Instead of relying on one unique record identifier, such as the student's social security number, a technique has been developed that is based on a number of common data…

The Influence of MCAT and GPA Preadmission Academic Metrics on Interview Scores

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gay, Steven E.; Santen, Sally A.; Mangrulkar, Rajesh S.; Sisson, Thomas H.; Ross, Paula T.; Zaidi, Nikki L. Bibler

2018-01-01

Medical school admissions interviews are used to assess applicants' nonacademic characteristics as advocated by the Association of American Medical Colleges' Advancing Holistic Review Initiative. The objective of this study is to determine whether academic metrics continue to significantly influence interviewers' scores in holistic processes by…

Treatment of multiple adjacent Miller class I and II gingival recessions with a Modified Coronally Advanced Tunnel (MCAT) technique and a collagen matrix or palatal connective tissue graft: a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Aroca, Sofia; Molnár, Bálint; Windisch, Péter; Gera, István; Salvi, Giovanni E; Nikolidakis, Dimitris; Sculean, Anton

2013-07-01

A newly developed collagen matrix (CM) of porcine origin has been shown to represent a potential alternative to palatal connective tissue grafts (CTG) for the treatment of single Miller Class I and II gingival recessions when used in conjunction with a coronally advanced flap (CAF). However, at present it remains unknown to what extent CM may represent a valuable alternative to CTG in the treatment of Miller Class I and II multiple adjacent gingival recessions (MAGR). The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes following treatment of Miller Class I and II MAGR using the modified coronally advanced tunnel technique (MCAT) in conjunction with either CM or CTG. Twenty-two patients with a total of 156 Miller Class I and II gingival recessions were included in this study. Recessions were randomly treated according to a split-mouth design by means of MCAT + CM (test) or MCAT + CTG (control). The following measurements were recorded at baseline (i.e. prior to surgery) and at 12 months: Gingival Recession Depth (GRD), Probing Pocket Depth (PD), Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), Keratinized Tissue Width (KTW), Gingival Recession Width (GRW) and Gingival Thickness (GT). GT was measured 3-mm apical to the gingival margin. Patient acceptance was recorded using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The primary outcome variable was Complete Root Coverage (CRC), secondary outcomes were Mean Root Coverage (MRC), change in KTW, GT, patient acceptance and duration of surgery. Healing was uneventful in both groups. No adverse reactions at any of the sites were observed. At 12 months, both treatments resulted in statistically significant improvements of CRC, MRC, KTW and GT compared with baseline (p < 0.05). CRC was found at 42% of test sites and at 85% of control sites respectively (p < 0.05). MRC measured 71 ± 21% mm at test sites versus 90 ± 18% mm at control sites (p < 0.05). Mean KTW measured 2.4 ± 0.7 mm at test sites versus 2.7 ± 0.8 mm at

7 CFR 501.2 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-01-01

... of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONDUCT ON U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, CLAY CENTER, NEBRASKA § 501.2 Admission. Admission to the Research Center during “off duty” hours shall be restricted to the main arteries and any deviation...

7 CFR 501.2 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-01-01

... of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONDUCT ON U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, CLAY CENTER, NEBRASKA § 501.2 Admission. Admission to the Research Center during “off duty” hours shall be restricted to the main arteries and any deviation...

7 CFR 501.2 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-01-01

... of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONDUCT ON U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, CLAY CENTER, NEBRASKA § 501.2 Admission. Admission to the Research Center during “off duty” hours shall be restricted to the main arteries and any deviation...

7 CFR 501.2 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-01-01

... of the Department of Agriculture (Continued) AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE CONDUCT ON U.S. MEAT ANIMAL RESEARCH CENTER, CLAY CENTER, NEBRASKA § 501.2 Admission. Admission to the Research Center during “off duty” hours shall be restricted to the main arteries and any deviation...

43 CFR 41.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... Lands: Interior Office of the Secretary of the Interior NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex... basis of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to...

28 CFR 54.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... Administration DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (CONTINUED) NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 54.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied...

43 CFR 41.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-10-01

... Lands: Interior Office of the Secretary of the Interior NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex... basis of sex, be denied admission, or be subjected to discrimination in admission, by any recipient to...

Student System, On-Line Admissions.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

White, Stephen R.

This report provides technical information on an on-line admissions system developed by Montgomery College. Part I, Systems Development, describes the background, objectives and responsibilities, system design, and reports generated by the system. Part II, Operating Instructions, describes input forms and controls, admission system functions, file…

The frequency of adverse drug reaction related admissions according to method of detection, admission urgency and medical department specialty

PubMed Central

Brvar, Miran; Fokter, Nina; Bunc, Matjaz; Mozina, Martin

2009-01-01

Background Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) have been regarded as a major public health problem since they represent a sizable percentage of admissions. Unfortunately, there is a wide variation of ADR related admissions among different studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of ADR related admissions and its dependency on reporting and method of detection, urgency of admissions and included medical departments reflecting department/hospital type within one study. Methods The study team of internal medicine specialists retrospectively reviewed 520 randomly selected medical records (3%) of patients treated in the medical departments of the primary city and tertiary referral governmental hospital for certain ADRs causing admissions regarding WHO causality criteria. All medical records were checked for whether the treating physicians recognised and documented ADRs causing admissions. The hospital information system was checked to ensure ADR related diagnoses were properly coded and the database of a national spontaneous reporting system was searched for patients with ADRs included in this study. Results The established frequency of admissions due to certain ADRs recognised by the study team and documented in medical records by the treating physicians was the same and represented 5.8% of all patients (30/520). The frequency of ADR causing admissions detected by employing a computer-assisted approach using an ICD-10 coding system was 0.2% (1/520), and no patient admitted due to ADRs was reported to the national reporting system (0/520). The recognized frequency of ADR related admissions also depends on the department's specialty (p = 0.001) and acceptance of urgently admitted patients (p = 0.001). Patients admitted due to ADRs were significantly older compared to patients without ADRs (p = 0.025). Gastrointestinal bleeding due to NSAID, acetylsalicylic acid and warfarin was the most common ADR that resulted in admission and represented 40% of all

Predicting outcome on admission and post-admission for acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure using classification and regression tree models.

PubMed

Speiser, Jaime Lynn; Lee, William M; Karvellas, Constantine J

2015-01-01

Assessing prognosis for acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure (APAP-ALF) patients often presents significant challenges. King's College (KCC) has been validated on hospital admission, but little has been published on later phases of illness. We aimed to improve determinations of prognosis both at the time of and following admission for APAP-ALF using Classification and Regression Tree (CART) models. CART models were applied to US ALFSG registry data to predict 21-day death or liver transplant early (on admission) and post-admission (days 3-7) for 803 APAP-ALF patients enrolled 01/1998-09/2013. Accuracy in prediction of outcome (AC), sensitivity (SN), specificity (SP), and area under receiver-operating curve (AUROC) were compared between 3 models: KCC (INR, creatinine, coma grade, pH), CART analysis using only KCC variables (KCC-CART) and a CART model using new variables (NEW-CART). Traditional KCC yielded 69% AC, 90% SP, 27% SN, and 0.58 AUROC on admission, with similar performance post-admission. KCC-CART at admission offered predictive 66% AC, 65% SP, 67% SN, and 0.74 AUROC. Post-admission, KCC-CART had predictive 82% AC, 86% SP, 46% SN and 0.81 AUROC. NEW-CART models using MELD (Model for end stage liver disease), lactate and mechanical ventilation on admission yielded predictive 72% AC, 71% SP, 77% SN and AUROC 0.79. For later stages, NEW-CART (MELD, lactate, coma grade) offered predictive AC 86%, SP 91%, SN 46%, AUROC 0.73. CARTs offer simple prognostic models for APAP-ALF patients, which have higher AUROC and SN than KCC, with similar AC and negligibly worse SP. Admission and post-admission predictions were developed. • Prognostication in acetaminophen-induced acute liver failure (APAP-ALF) is challenging beyond admission • Little has been published regarding the use of King's College Criteria (KCC) beyond admission and KCC has shown limited sensitivity in subsequent studies • Classification and Regression Tree (CART) methodology allows the

Effectiveness of screening hospital admissions to detect asymptomatic carriers of Clostridium difficile: a modeling evaluation.

PubMed

Lanzas, Cristina; Dubberke, Erik R

2014-08-01

Both asymptomatic and symptomatic Clostridium difficile carriers contribute to new colonizations and infections within a hospital, but current control strategies focus only on preventing transmission from symptomatic carriers. Our objective was to evaluate the potential effectiveness of methods targeting asymptomatic carriers to control C. difficile colonization and infection (CDI) rates in a hospital ward: screening patients at admission to detect asymptomatic C. difficile carriers and placing positive patients into contact precautions. We developed an agent-based transmission model for C. difficile that incorporates screening and contact precautions for asymptomatic carriers in a hospital ward. We simulated scenarios that vary according to screening test characteristics, colonization prevalence, and type of strain present at admission. In our baseline scenario, on average, 42% of CDI cases were community-onset cases. Within the hospital-onset (HO) cases, approximately half were patients admitted as asymptomatic carriers who became symptomatic in the ward. On average, testing for asymptomatic carriers reduced the number of new colonizations and HO-CDI cases by 40%-50% and 10%-25%, respectively, compared with the baseline scenario. Test sensitivity, turnaround time, colonization prevalence at admission, and strain type had significant effects on testing efficacy. Testing for asymptomatic carriers at admission may reduce both the number of new colonizations and HO-CDI cases. Additional reductions could be achieved by preventing disease in patients who are admitted as asymptomatic carriers and developed CDI during the hospital stay.

49 CFR 25.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-10-01

... Office of the Secretary of Transportation NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 25.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied...

22 CFR 146.300 - Admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... Relations DEPARTMENT OF STATE CIVIL RIGHTS NONDISCRIMINATION ON THE BASIS OF SEX IN EDUCATION PROGRAMS OR ACTIVITIES RECEIVING FEDERAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE Discrimination on the Basis of Sex in Admission and Recruitment Prohibited § 146.300 Admission. (a) General. No person shall, on the basis of sex, be denied...

The Changing College Admissions Scene.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Sjogren, Cliff

1983-01-01

Discusses the status of college admissions and some of the forces that influenced college admissions policies during each of four three-year periods: the Sputnik Era (1957-60), the Postwar Baby Boom Era (1964-67), the "New Groups" Era (1971-74), and the Stable Enrollment Era (1978-81). (PGD)

The Relation of Student Engagement and Other Admission Metrics to Master of Accounting Student Performance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Buckless, Frank; Krawczyk, Kathy

2016-01-01

This paper examines whether the use of student engagement (SE) information as part of the admissions process can help us to predict student academic success in Master of Accounting (MAC) programs. The association of SE, undergraduate grade point average (UGPA), and Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score to academic performance was tested…

Admission Policy Impact Study, 1993.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Oklahoma City.

In 1993, a second annual review was conducted of the 1990 State Regents admission policy for the Oklahoma State System of higher education. The review was intended to assure institutional policy compliance, ascertain the effects of increased admission standards on institutional student profiles, and evaluate whether the ultimate goal of maximizing…

Predicting MBA Student Success and Streamlining the Admissions Process

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Pratt, William R.

2015-01-01

Within this study the author examines factors commonly employed as master of business administration applicant evaluation criteria to see if these criteria are important in determining an applicant's potential for success. The findings indicate that the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is not a significant predictor of student success…

The Economic Consequences of Hospital Admissions

PubMed Central

Dobkin, Carlos; Finkelstein, Amy; Kluender, Raymond; Notowidigdo, Matthew J.

2017-01-01

We use an event study approach to examine the economic consequences of hospital admissions for adults in two datasets: survey data from the Health and Retirement Study, and hospitalization data linked to credit reports. For non-elderly adults with health insurance, hospital admissions increase out-of-pocket medical spending, unpaid medical bills and bankruptcy, and reduce earnings, income, access to credit and consumer borrowing. The earnings decline is substantial compared to the out-of-pocket spending increase, and is minimally insured prior to age-eligibility for Social Security Retirement Income. Relative to the insured non-elderly, the uninsured non-elderly experience much larger increases in unpaid medical bills and bankruptcy rates following a hospital admission. Hospital admissions trigger less than 5 percent of all bankruptcies. PMID:29445246

Holistic Admissions in Nursing: We Can Do This

PubMed Central

GLAZER, GREER; CLARK, ANGELA; BANKSTON, KAREN; DANEK, JENNIFER; FAIR, MALIKA; MICHAELS, JULIA

2016-01-01

Research shows that holistic admissions review practices can increase diversity across students without decreasing the workforce preparedness and academic success of students. Therefore, many disciplines have readily adopted the widespread use of holistic admissions review. Despite its proven effectiveness in addressing student diversity, nursing has been slow to implement holistic admissions review. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the barriers to implementing holistic admissions review in nursing and the feasibility of adopting holistic admissions review across nursing programs. A biphasic qualitative research study was conducted with nursing deans from across the United States. Qualitative data collection consisted of two phases of focus group discussions conducted over a 3-month period. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The categories and subcategories identified in Phase 1 informed the discussion in Phase 2. One overarching category from Phase 1 was identified, which was the lack of nursing schools’ knowledge regarding holistic admissions review. Four subcategories also identified in Phase 1 included the need for better dissemination of evidence, the need for additional support from university leaders and administrators, the need for legal guidance to facilitate implementation of holistic admissions review, and ensuring appropriate resources to support the holistic admissions review process. Three categories emerged in Phase 2, which included everyone’s buy-in is required, the need for a model, and a need for training. The adoption of holistic admissions review in nursing may be feasible. However, certain barriers need to be overcome so that nursing schools can successfully take on this process. Therefore, five recommendations have been developed to assist nursing schools in the implementation of holistic admissions review. These recommendations include increasing knowledge and understanding of

Holistic Admissions in Nursing: We Can Do This.

PubMed

Glazer, Greer; Clark, Angela; Bankston, Karen; Danek, Jennifer; Fair, Malika; Michaels, Julia

2016-01-01

Research shows that holistic admissions review practices can increase diversity across students without decreasing the workforce preparedness and academic success of students. Therefore, many disciplines have readily adopted the widespread use of holistic admissions review. Despite its proven effectiveness in addressing student diversity, nursing has been slow to implement holistic admissions review. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the barriers to implementing holistic admissions review in nursing and the feasibility of adopting holistic admissions review across nursing programs. A biphasic qualitative research study was conducted with nursing deans from across the United States. Qualitative data collection consisted of two phases of focus group discussions conducted over a 3-month period. The qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. The categories and subcategories identified in Phase 1 informed the discussion in Phase 2. One overarching category from Phase 1 was identified, which was the lack of nursing schools' knowledge regarding holistic admissions review. Four subcategories also identified in Phase 1 included the need for better dissemination of evidence, the need for additional support from university leaders and administrators, the need for legal guidance to facilitate implementation of holistic admissions review, and ensuring appropriate resources to support the holistic admissions review process. Three categories emerged in Phase 2, which included everyone's buy-in is required, the need for a model, and a need for training. The adoption of holistic admissions review in nursing may be feasible. However, certain barriers need to be overcome so that nursing schools can successfully take on this process. Therefore, five recommendations have been developed to assist nursing schools in the implementation of holistic admissions review. These recommendations include increasing knowledge and understanding of holistic

Is there an impact of global and local disasters on psychiatric inpatient admissions?

PubMed

Haker, Helene; Lauber, Christoph; Malti, Tina; Rössler, Wulf

2004-10-01

Disasters of the magnitude of September 11, 2001 have a serious public health impact. By dominating media broadcasts, this effect is not limited to the site of the disaster. We tested the hypothesis whether such extraordinary burden results in an increase of psychiatric inpatient treatment. As such we analysed all psychiatric inpatient admissions in the Canton of Zurich/Switzerland. To test the influence of proximity to a disaster, we additionally analysed the impact of a local amok run on September 27, 2001. Psychiatric inpatient admissions in the Canton of Zurich from September 2000 to September 2002 were analysed based on the data of the psychiatric case register. ARIMA modelling was employed to describe time-series of admissions per week over the 2-year period and to identify the impact of the incidents of 9/11 and 9/27, 2001. Mean numbers of weekly admissions were comparable in a time span of one month before and one month after the two incidents, thus, no significant changes were detected by the ARIMA modelling. Against widespread beliefs, for patients with severe mental disorders requiring hospitalisation illness factors seem to play a more relevant role for decompensation than external psychosocial factors such as the described incidents.

Socioeconomic inequalities in neonatal intensive care admission rates.

PubMed

Jenkins, J; McCall, E; Gardner, E; Casson, K; Dolk, H

2009-11-01

To examine socioeconomic inequalities in neonatal intensive care (NIC) admissions relating to preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), multiple births and other conditions. Retrospective review of all NIC admissions from 1996 to 2001 throughout a geographically defined region. Area deprivation indices were grouped into quintiles from least (1) to most (5) deprived. Admissions were classified by predefined hierarchical criteria. The rate of admissions was 31.4 per 1000 births. There was a J-shaped relation with socioeconomic group (28.1 NIC admissions per 1000 in quintile 1, 34.0 in quintile 5 and below 28 in the other quintiles). The most deprived areas had a rate 19% above the regional average. The relation with socioeconomic group differed significantly according to primary reason for admission. The rates of admissions with significant prematurity (34% of all admissions) and IUGR as primary reason were highest in quintile 5 (18% and 41% above the regional average, respectively). This contrasted with the rate of admission for multiple birth which was highest in quintile 1 (45% above average). These differences provided the main explanation for the J-shaped overall curve. Measures to alleviate deprivation and to improve the preterm birth and IUGR rates in deprived groups would have the greatest potential to reduce inequality in need for NIC admission. Efforts to achieve targets for reduction in infant mortality need to take account of the different effects of socioeconomic inequalities for different conditions and groups of infants.

Optimal Admission to Higher Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Albaek, Karsten

2017-01-01

This paper analyses admission decisions when students from different high school tracks apply for admission to university programmes. I derive a criterion that is optimal in the sense that it maximizes the graduation rates of the university programmes. The paper contains an empirical analysis that documents the relevance of theory and illustrates…

A Proposal to Eliminate the SAT in Berkeley Admissions. Research & Occasional Paper Series: CSHE.4.16

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Geiser, Saul

2016-01-01

The SAT is used for two purposes at the University of California. First is "eligibility": Determining whether applicants meet the minimum requirements for admission to the UC system. Second is "admissions selection": At high-demand campuses such as Berkeley, with many more eligible applicants than places available, test scores…

Pregnancy exposures and risk of childhood asthma admission in a population birth cohort.

PubMed

Algert, Charles S; Bowen, Jennifer R; Lain, Samantha L; Allen, Hugh D; Vivian-Taylor, Josephine M; Roberts, Christine L

2011-12-01

There is increasing interest in the potential for in utero exposures to affect the risk of asthma. We used population data to explore the associations between perinatal conditions and the risk of hospital admission with asthma between the 2nd and 5th birthday. The study population was 240,511 singleton infants born during 2001-2003. Birth records and longitudinally linked hospital admissions were used to identify asthma admissions and to model potential risk factors. A total of 7245 children (3.0%) had one or more childhood admissions with asthma. In utero infectious exposures associated with childhood asthma were maternal antenatal admission with a urinary tract infection (UTI) [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.49, 95% confidence interval (1.23-1.79)] and pre-term pre-labor rupture of membranes (PROM) [aOR = 1.23 (1.04-1.45)]. There was no evidence that gestational age at time of first antenatal UTI admission (<28, ≥ 28 wks) affected the risk of asthma (homogeneity test p = 0.6). Pre-term birth was a risk factor for asthma admission, with the risk decreasing by 5.3% with each extra week of gestation. Autumn and winter conceptions were associated with an increased risk of childhood asthma admission: winter aOR = 1.15 (1.08-1.23), autumn aOR = 1.09 (1.02-1.16). As in utero exposure to both UTI and PROM carry an increased risk of childhood asthma admission, this suggests that the immune system response generally is the relevant factor rather than a specific organism. The season-associated risk is consistent with early pregnancy exposures such as the winter flu season or low vitamin D. © 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Admission to Medical Education in Ten Countries.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Burn, Barbara B., Ed.

As part of a study of access and admission to higher education in Germany and the United States, a group of papers on medical admissions in various countries was commissioned. The papers presented in this book reveal wide differences in admissions policies and procedures. Barbara Burn examines some of the major issues in a foreword: representation…

Incidence of bacteremia at the time of ICU admission and its impact on outcome.

PubMed

Nasa, Prashant; Juneja, Deven; Singh, Omender; Dang, Rohit; Arora, Vikas; Saxena, Sanjay

2011-11-01

Blood culture is routinely taken at the time of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients suspected to have infection. We undertook this study to determine the incidence of bacteremia at the time of ICU admission and to assess its impact on the outcome. Retrospective cohort study from all the admissions in ICU, in whom blood cultures sent at the time of admission were analyzed. Data regarding patient demographics, probable source of infection, previous antibiotic use and ICU course was recorded. Severity of illness on admission was assessed by acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score. Qualitative data were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher Exact test and quantitative data were analyzed using Student's t-test. Primary outcome measure was ICU mortality. Of 567 patients, 42% patients were on antibiotics. Sixty-four percent of the patients were direct ICU admission from casualty, 10.76% were from wards and 6.17% from other ICUs, and 19.05% were transfers from other hospitals. Blood cultures were positive in 10.6% patients. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with positive blood cultures (45% vs. 13.6%; P=0.000). On univariate analysis, only previous antibiotic use was statistically associated with higher mortality (P=0.011). Bacteremic patients who were already on antibiotics had a significantly higher mortality (OR 12.9, 95% CI: 1.6-100). Blood cultures may be positive in only minority of the patients with suspected infection admitted to ICU. Nevertheless, the prognosis of those patients with positive blood culture is worse, especially if culture is positive in spite of the patient being on antibiotics.

Incidence of bacteremia at the time of ICU admission and its impact on outcome

PubMed Central

Nasa, Prashant; Juneja, Deven; Singh, Omender; Dang, Rohit; Arora, Vikas; Saxena, Sanjay

2011-01-01

Context: Blood culture is routinely taken at the time of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) for patients suspected to have infection. We undertook this study to determine the incidence of bacteremia at the time of ICU admission and to assess its impact on the outcome. Methods: Retrospective cohort study from all the admissions in ICU, in whom blood cultures sent at the time of admission were analyzed. Data regarding patient demographics, probable source of infection, previous antibiotic use and ICU course was recorded. Severity of illness on admission was assessed by acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II score. Statistical Analysis: Qualitative data were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher Exact test and quantitative data were analyzed using Student's t-test. Primary outcome measure was ICU mortality. Results: Of 567 patients, 42% patients were on antibiotics. Sixty-four percent of the patients were direct ICU admission from casualty, 10.76% were from wards and 6.17% from other ICUs, and 19.05% were transfers from other hospitals. Blood cultures were positive in 10.6% patients. Mortality was significantly higher in patients with positive blood cultures (45% vs. 13.6%; P=0.000). On univariate analysis, only previous antibiotic use was statistically associated with higher mortality (P=0.011). Bacteremic patients who were already on antibiotics had a significantly higher mortality (OR 12.9, 95% CI: 1.6–100). Conclusions: Blood cultures may be positive in only minority of the patients with suspected infection admitted to ICU. Nevertheless, the prognosis of those patients with positive blood culture is worse, especially if culture is positive in spite of the patient being on antibiotics. PMID:22223904

Trends in substance use admissions among older adults.

PubMed

Chhatre, Sumedha; Cook, Ratna; Mallik, Eshita; Jayadevappa, Ravishankar

2017-08-22

Substance abuse is a growing, but mostly silent, epidemic among older adults. We sought to analyze the trends in admissions for substance abuse treatment among older adults (aged 55 and older). Treatment Episode Data Set - Admissions (TEDS-A) for period between 2000 and 2012 was used. The trends in admission for primary substances, demographic attributes, characteristics of substance abused and type of admission were analyzed. While total number of substance abuse treatment admissions between 2000 and 2012 changed slightly, proportion attributable to older adults increased from 3.4% to 7.0%. Substantial changes in the demographic, substance use pattern, and treatment characteristics for the older adult admissions were noted. Majority of the admissions were for alcohol as the primary substance. However there was a decreasing trend in this proportion (77% to 64%). The proportion of admissions for following primary substances showed increase: cocaine/crack, marijuana/hashish, heroin, non-prescription methadone, and other opiates and synthetics. Also, admissions for older adults increased between 2000 and 2012 for African Americans (21% to 28%), females (20% to 24%), high school graduates (63% to 75%), homeless (15% to 19%), unemployed (77% to 84%), and those with psychiatric problems (17% to 32%).The proportion of admissions with prior history of substance abuse treatment increased from 39% to 46% and there was an increase in the admissions where more than one problem substance was reported. Ambulatory setting continued to be the most frequent treatment setting, and individual (including self-referral) was the most common referral source. The use of medication assisted therapy remained low over the years (7% - 9%). The changing demographic and substance use pattern of older adults implies that a wide array of psychological, social, and physiological needs will arise. Integrated, multidisciplinary and tailored policies for prevention and treatment are necessary to

Modeling relationships between traditional preadmission measures and clinical skills performance on a medical licensure examination.

PubMed

Roberts, William L; Pugliano, Gina; Langenau, Erik; Boulet, John R

2012-08-01

Medical schools employ a variety of preadmission measures to select students most likely to succeed in the program. The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the undergraduate college grade point average (uGPA) are two academic measures typically used to select students in medical school. The assumption that presently used preadmission measures can predict clinical skill performance on a medical licensure examination was evaluated within a validity argument framework (Kane 1992). A hierarchical generalized linear model tested relationships between the log-odds of failing a high-stakes medical licensure performance examination and matriculant academic and non-academic preadmission measures, controlling for student-and school-variables. Data includes 3,189 matriculants from 22 osteopathic medical schools tested in 2009-2010. Unconditional unit-specific model expected average log-odds of failing the examination across medical schools is -3.05 (se = 0.11) or 5%. Student-level estimated coefficients for MCAT Verbal Reasoning scores (0.03), Physical Sciences scores (0.05), Biological Sciences scores (0.04), uGPA(science) (0.07), and uGPA(non-science) (0.26) lacked association with the log-odds of failing the COMLEX-USA Level 2-PE, controlling for all other predictors in the model. Evidence from this study shows that present preadmission measures of academic ability are not related to later clinical skill performance. Given that clinical skill performance is an important part of medical practice, selection measures should be developed to identify students who will be successful in communication and be able to demonstrate the ability to systematically collect a medical history, perform a physical examination, and synthesize this information to diagnose and manage patient conditions.

Tempering pediatric hospitalist supervision of residents improves admission process efficiency without decreasing quality of care.

PubMed

Biondi, Eric A; Leonard, Michael S; Nocera, Elizabeth; Chen, Rui; Arora, Jyoti; Alverson, Brian

2014-02-01

Many academic pediatric hospital medicine (PHM) divisions have recently increased in-house supervision of residents, often providing 24/7 in-house attending coverage. Contrary to this trend, we removed mandated PHM attending input during the admission process. We present an evaluation of this process change. This cohort study compared outcomes between patients admitted to the PHM service before (July 1, 2011-September 30, 2011) and after (July 1, 2012-September 30, 2012) the process change. We evaluated time from admission request to inpatient orders, length of stay (LOS), frequency of change in antibiotic choice, and rapid response team (RRT) calls within 24 hours of admission. Data were obtained via chart abstraction and from administrative databases. Wilcoxon rank sum and Fisher exact tests were used for analysis. We identified 182 and 210 admissions in the before and after cohorts, respectively. Median time between emergency department admission request and inpatient orders was significantly shorter after the change (123 vs 62 minutes, P < 0.001). We found no significant difference in LOS, the number of changes to initial resident antibiotic choice, standard of care, or RRTs called within the first 24 hours of admission. Removing mandated attending input in decision making for PHM admissions significantly decreased time to inpatient resident admission orders without a change in measurable clinical outcomes. © 2013 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Scheduling admissions and reducing variability in bed demand.

PubMed

Bekker, René; Koeleman, Paulien M

2011-09-01

Variability in admissions and lengths of stay inherently leads to variability in bed occupancy. The aim of this paper is to analyse the impact of these sources of variability on the required amount of capacity and to determine admission quota for scheduled admissions to regulate the occupancy pattern. For the impact of variability on the required number of beds, we use a heavy-traffic limit theorem for the G/G/∞ queue yielding an intuitively appealing approximation in case the arrival process is not Poisson. Also, given a structural weekly admission pattern, we apply a time-dependent analysis to determine the mean offered load per day. This time-dependent analysis is combined with a Quadratic Programming model to determine the optimal number of elective admissions per day, such that an average desired daily occupancy is achieved. From the mathematical results, practical scenarios and guidelines are derived that can be used by hospital managers and support the method of quota scheduling. In practice, the results can be implemented by providing admission quota prescribing the target number of admissions for each patient group.

Premedical special master’s programs increase USMLE STEP1 scores and improve residency placements

PubMed Central

Khuder, Sadik

2017-01-01

The effectiveness of Special Master’s Programs (SMPs) in benefiting a potential medical student’s career beyond admission into an MD-program is largely unknown. This study aims to evaluate the role of SMPs, if any, in affecting the performance and outcomes of students during their medical school career. This study analyzed anonymous surveys of students and residents from the University of Toledo. The data analysis is used to evaluate a student’s academic performance before, during and after medical school. Measured metrics included: MCAT Scores, undergraduate GPA, USMLE STEP 1 scores, participation in research, number of research publications, and residency placement. Of 500 people surveyed 164 medical students or residents responded. Based on their responses, the respondents were divided into traditional (non-SMP) and SMP groups. As anticipated, MCAT scores (SMP: 29.82 vs. traditional 31.10) are significantly (p<0.05) different between the two groups. Interestingly, there is no significant difference in USMLE STEP 1 scores (SMP: 232.7 vs. traditional: 233.8) and when normalized relative to MCAT scores, USMLE STEP 1 scores for SMP-students are significantly (p<0.05) higher than their traditional counterparts (p<0.05). Additionally, SMP-students did not outperform the traditional students with regards to research publications. But, they did demonstrate a significant (p<0.05) proclivity towards surgical residencies when compared to the traditional students. Overall, our results highlight that SMPs potentiate USMLE STEP 1 performance and competitive residency-placements for its students. PMID:29190691

Admissions-Yield and Persistence Analysis. AIR Forum Paper 1978.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ramist, Leonard

Data from the college Board's Admissions Test Program (ATP) Summary Reports are used to analyze the student market attraction for ATP report designations, the application rate, the acceptance rate, the enrollment yield, and the dropout rate for 254 different student groups for 25l colleges. Student groups are defined in terms of their College…

The pre-health collection within MedEdPORTAL's iCollaborative: helping faculty prepare students for the competencies in the new MCAT(2015) exam.

PubMed

Jakubowski, Henry V; Zapanta, Laura S

2013-01-01

To help faculty prepare and revise courses in all the disciplines represented in the MCAT(2015) , the American Association of Medical Colleges, through its MedEdPORTAL's iCollaborative, has established the Pre-health Collection, a repository of reviewed web resources that are openly and freely available to faculty, and indirectly through them to students. The Pre-health Collection initiative makes use of the Internet to centralize teaching resources and to help faculty at institutions with fewer available resources to incorporate high quality teaching material specifically reviewed to assist students in obtaining the required pre-health competencies. As biochemistry competencies are increasingly represented in the new exam, it is important to grow the number of quality teaching resources for biochemistry within the portal and to develop a community of users and contributors. A description of the Pre-Health Collection and mechanisms for contributions are presented. Copyright © 2013 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

MCAT to XCAT: The Evolution of 4-D Computerized Phantoms for Imaging Research: Computer models that take account of body movements promise to provide evaluation and improvement of medical imaging devices and technology.

PubMed

Paul Segars, W; Tsui, Benjamin M W

2009-12-01

Recent work in the development of computerized phantoms has focused on the creation of ideal "hybrid" models that seek to combine the realism of a patient-based voxelized phantom with the flexibility of a mathematical or stylized phantom. We have been leading the development of such computerized phantoms for use in medical imaging research. This paper will summarize our developments dating from the original four-dimensional (4-D) Mathematical Cardiac-Torso (MCAT) phantom, a stylized model based on geometric primitives, to the current 4-D extended Cardiac-Torso (XCAT) and Mouse Whole-Body (MOBY) phantoms, hybrid models of the human and laboratory mouse based on state-of-the-art computer graphics techniques. This paper illustrates the evolution of computerized phantoms toward more accurate models of anatomy and physiology. This evolution was catalyzed through the introduction of nonuniform rational b-spline (NURBS) and subdivision (SD) surfaces, tools widely used in computer graphics, as modeling primitives to define a more ideal hybrid phantom. With NURBS and SD surfaces as a basis, we progressed from a simple geometrically based model of the male torso (MCAT) containing only a handful of structures to detailed, whole-body models of the male and female (XCAT) anatomies (at different ages from newborn to adult), each containing more than 9000 structures. The techniques we applied for modeling the human body were similarly used in the creation of the 4-D MOBY phantom, a whole-body model for the mouse designed for small animal imaging research. From our work, we have found the NURBS and SD surface modeling techniques to be an efficient and flexible way to describe the anatomy and physiology for realistic phantoms. Based on imaging data, the surfaces can accurately model the complex organs and structures in the body, providing a level of realism comparable to that of a voxelized phantom. In addition, they are very flexible. Like stylized models, they can easily be

A Role for Marketing in College Admissions. Papers Presented at the Colloquium on College Admissions, May 16-l8, 1976.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Entrance Examination Board, New York, NY.

This collection stresses the need for informed and more sophisticated marketing techniques for college admissions officers to help them cope with the decreasing number of prospective college students. The importance of the college admissions office is increasing as admissions becomes a more crucial element to the colleges' financial well-being.…

32 CFR 776.66 - Bar admission and disciplinary matters.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 32 National Defense 5 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Bar admission and disciplinary matters. 776.66... ADVOCATE GENERAL Rules of Professional Conduct § 776.66 Bar admission and disciplinary matters. (a) Bar admission and disciplinary matters. A covered attorney, in connection with any application for bar admission...

8 CFR 235.4 - Withdrawal of application for admission.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-01-01

... right to withdraw his or her application for admission. Permission to withdraw an application for... 8 Aliens and Nationality 1 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Withdrawal of application for admission... INSPECTION OF PERSONS APPLYING FOR ADMISSION § 235.4 Withdrawal of application for admission. The Attorney...

Investigating the utility of a GPA institutional adjustment index.

PubMed

Didier, Thomas; Kreiter, Clarence D; Buri, Russell; Solow, Catherine

2006-05-01

Grading standards vary widely across undergraduate institutions. If, during the medical school admissions process, GPA is considered without reference to the institution attended, it will disadvantage applicants from undergraduate institutions employing rigorous grading standards. A regression-based GPA institutional equating method using historical MCAT and GPA information is described. Classes selected from eight applicant pools demonstrate the impact of the GPA adjustment. The validity of the adjustment is examined by comparing adjusted and unadjusted GPAs' correlation with USMLE and medical college grades. The adjusted GPA demonstrated significantly improved congruence with MCAT estimates of applicant preparedness. The adjustment changed selection decisions for 21% of those admitted. The adjusted GPA enhanced prediction of USMLE and medical school grades only for students from institutions which required large adjustments. Unlike other indices, the adjustment described uses the same metric as GPA and is based only on an institution's history of preparing medical school applicants. The institutional adjustment is consequential in selection, significantly enhances congruence with a standardized measure of academic preparedness and may enhance the validity of the GPA.

Clinical characteristics and predictive factors of myasthenic crisis after thymectomy.

PubMed

Nam, Tai-Seung; Lee, Seung-Han; Kim, Byeong-Chae; Choi, Kang-Ho; Kim, Joon-Tae; Kim, Myeong-Kyu; Cho, Ki-Hyun; Lee, Min-Cheol

2011-09-01

The aims of this study were to assess the clinical characteristics of myasthenic crisis after thymectomy (MCAT) and to identify predictors affecting the occurrence of MCAT. Of 66 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG), MCAT occurred in 20 patients (30.3%). The median time interval from thymectomy to MCAT was 3.4 months. MCAT occurred in 65.0% of patients within the first 6 months of a thymectomy, and 35.0% after 6 months. A second MCAT occurred in nine (45.0%) patients who survived the first MCAT, and in seven (50.0%) of 14 patients with a history of a preoperative myasthenic crisis before thymectomy (MCBT). A history of MCBT, and clinical factors reflecting perioperative clinical severity at thymectomy, including preoperative Osserman's grade, bulbar symptoms, use of immunosuppressants, pulmonary function, and postoperative delayed ventilator weaning, were significantly correlated with the occurrence of MCAT on univariate analysis. However, a history of MCBT was the only independent factor affecting the occurrence of MCAT on multivariate logistic regression analysis (odds ratio, 17.9; 95% confidence interval, 4.019-79.873; p<0.001). Thus, the occurrence of MCAT may be correlated only with a history of MCBT rather than with factors reflecting perioperative clinical severity. MG patients with a history of MCBT are more susceptible to MCAT, particularly within the first 6 months of thymectomy. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

32 CFR 242.5 - Admission procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... HEALTH SCIENCES § 242.5 Admission procedures. (a) Application—(1) Civilians. Civilians seeking admission..., physical examinations, and National Agency Checks, as required, consistent with § 242.4(a)(5)) to determine whether or not the selected candidates are acceptable for commissioning. (Physical examinations for...

32 CFR 242.5 - Admission procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... HEALTH SCIENCES § 242.5 Admission procedures. (a) Application—(1) Civilians. Civilians seeking admission..., physical examinations, and National Agency Checks, as required, consistent with § 242.4(a)(5)) to determine whether or not the selected candidates are acceptable for commissioning. (Physical examinations for...

32 CFR 242.5 - Admission procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... HEALTH SCIENCES § 242.5 Admission procedures. (a) Application—(1) Civilians. Civilians seeking admission..., physical examinations, and National Agency Checks, as required, consistent with § 242.4(a)(5)) to determine whether or not the selected candidates are acceptable for commissioning. (Physical examinations for...

32 CFR 242.5 - Admission procedures.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... HEALTH SCIENCES § 242.5 Admission procedures. (a) Application—(1) Civilians. Civilians seeking admission..., physical examinations, and National Agency Checks, as required, consistent with § 242.4(a)(5)) to determine whether or not the selected candidates are acceptable for commissioning. (Physical examinations for...

Alphabetical Order Effects in School Admissions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Jurajda, Štepán; Münich, Daniel

2016-01-01

If school admission committees use alphabetically sorted lists of applicants in their evaluations, one's position in the alphabet according to last name initial may be important in determining access to selective schools. Jurajda and Münich (2010) "Admission to Selective Schools, Alphabetically". "Economics of Education…

Economic outcomes of influenza in hospitalized elderly with and without ICU admission.

PubMed

Chan, Yik-Kei; Wong, Rity Yk; Ip, Margaret; Lee, Nelson Ls; You, Joyce Hs

2017-01-01

To describe direct medical costs of influenza in hospitalized elderly, with and without intensive care unit (ICU) admission, during the 2014-2015 season in Hong Kong. A retrospective study was conducted in 110 inpatients aged ≥65 years with laboratory-confirmed influenza treated by antiviral therapy during season 2014-2015 in a tertiary hospital. Resource utilization of influenza-related diagnostic and laboratory tests, medications for influenza treatment, usage of general medical ward and ICU during the influenza-related length of hospital stay (IR-LOS) were collected. There were 18 (16.4%) and 92 (83.4%) cases with and without ICU admission, respectively. The difference in influenza-related mortality rates between patients with (11.1%) and without ICU admission (2.2%) was not statistically significant (P=0.064). Patients with ICU admission reported longer IR-LOS (12.7 ±6.0 days versus 5.5 ±2.7 days; P<0.001) and higher direct costs (36,588 USD ±21,482 versus 5,773 USD ±2,017; P<0.001; 1 USD=7.8 HKD). Male gender (OR=14.50; 95% CI 1.68, 125.07) and respiratory complications (OR=9.61; 95% CI 1.90, 48.50) were positive predictors of ICU admission. Age ≥70 years (OR=0.09; 95% CI 0.02, 0.46) and antiviral therapy initiation within 7 days (OR=0.05; 95% CI 0.003, 0.79) were negative predictors of ICU admission. Influenza B was a positive predictor of high-cost hospitalization in non-ICU survivors (OR=7.33; 95% CI 1.24, 43.29). No predictor of mortality was identified. Hospitalization cost in elderly for seasonal influenza was substantial in Hong Kong. The cost in patients with ICU admission was significantly higher than those without ICU care. Respiratory complications and male gender predicted ICU admission. Influenza B infection predicted high-cost hospitalization in non-ICU survivors.

[Violent and intimidating behavior of psychiatric patients at admission].

PubMed

Moamaï, J; Moamaï, N

1994-05-01

The dangerousness of the mentally ill patient is still unknown. This study assesses the actual prevalence of violent and intimidating behaviours in psychiatric patients at the time of their admission, or in the days leading up to their admission to a Quebec hospital. These behaviours have been measured on a six-point scale whose reliability for this population is appropriate. The consecutive sample consists of 383 adult admissions, and the results show that 83.0 percent of the involuntary admissions and 40.7 percent of the voluntary admissions manifested violent or intimidating behaviours at the time of hospitalization. The results support the clinical experience that psychiatric patients often exhibit this type of behaviour on admission.

Quality Assessment of College Admissions Processes.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fisher, Caroline; Weymann, Elizabeth; Todd, Amy

2000-01-01

This study evaluated the admissions process for a Master's in Business Administration Program using such quality improvement techniques as customer surveys, benchmarking, and gap analysis. Analysis revealed that student dissatisfaction with the admissions process may be a factor influencing declining enrollment. Cycle time and number of student…

Complexity in College Admission: Fact or Urban Myth. Research Findings of Parent and Student Perceptions of Complexity in College Admission

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, 2010

2010-01-01

In September 2007, the College Board formed the Task Force on Admissions in the 21st Century in response to a request from the Guidance and Admission Assembly Council (GAA Council) to more closely examine the high-school-to-college transition process. Each spring, at the conclusion of the college admission cycle, there is much discussion in the…

Urine Culture on Admission Impacts Antibiotic Use and Length of Stay: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

PubMed

Horstman, Molly J; Spiegelman, Andrew M; Naik, Aanand D; Trautner, Barbara W

2018-05-01

OBJECTIVETo examine the impact of urine culture testing on day 1 of admission on inpatient antibiotic use and hospital length of stay (LOS).DESIGNWe performed a retrospective cohort study using a national dataset from 2009 to 2014.SETTINGThe study used data from 230 hospitals in the United States.PARTICIPANTSAdmissions for adults 18 years and older were included in this study. Hospitalizations were matched with coarsened exact matching by facility, patient age, gender, Medicare severity-diagnosis related group (MS-DRG), and 3 measures of disease severity.METHODSA multilevel Poisson model and a multilevel linear regression model were used to determine the impact of an admission urine culture on inpatient antibiotic use and LOS.RESULTSMatching produced a cohort of 88,481 patients (n=41,070 with a culture on day 1, n=47,411 without a culture). A urine culture on admission led to an increase in days of inpatient antibiotic use (incidence rate ratio, 1.26; P<.001) and resulted in an additional 36,607 days of inpatient antibiotic treatment. Urine culture on admission resulted in a 2.1% increase in LOS (P=.004). The predicted difference in bed days of care between admissions with and without a urine culture resulted in 6,071 additional bed days of care. The impact of urine culture testing varied by admitting diagnosis.CONCLUSIONSPatients with a urine culture sent on day 1 of hospital admission receive more days of antibiotics and have a longer hospital stay than patients who do not have a urine culture. Targeted interventions may reduce the potential harms associated with low-yield urine cultures on day 1.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:547-554.

The Impact of Special Admissions Programs on General Admissions Policies in Five San Francisco Bay Area Public Institutions of Higher Education 1966-1971.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Alford, Howard Lee

This study researched the impact of special admissions programs on general admission policies in 5 San Francisco Bay area colleges and universities during a period of 5 years ending June 1971. The study was conducted to determine more specifically: (1) what general admissions policies were waived for special admissions students; (2) what was the…

38 CFR 17.365 - Admission priorities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Admission priorities. 17.365 Section 17.365 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL Grants to the Republic of the Philippines § 17.365 Admission priorities. Appropriate provisions of § 17...

38 CFR 17.365 - Admission priorities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Admission priorities. 17.365 Section 17.365 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL Grants to the Republic of the Philippines § 17.365 Admission priorities. Appropriate provisions of § 17...

38 CFR 17.365 - Admission priorities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Admission priorities. 17.365 Section 17.365 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL Grants to the Republic of the Philippines § 17.365 Admission priorities. Appropriate provisions of § 17...

38 CFR 17.365 - Admission priorities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Admission priorities. 17.365 Section 17.365 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL Grants to the Republic of the Philippines § 17.365 Admission priorities. Appropriate provisions of § 17...

38 CFR 17.365 - Admission priorities.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... 38 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief 1 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Admission priorities. 17.365 Section 17.365 Pensions, Bonuses, and Veterans' Relief DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL Grants to the Republic of the Philippines § 17.365 Admission priorities. Appropriate provisions of § 17...

Modelling the Costs and Effects of Selective and Universal Hospital Admission Screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

PubMed Central

Hubben, Gijs; Bootsma, Martin; Luteijn, Michiel; Glynn, Diarmuid; Bishai, David

2011-01-01

Background Screening at hospital admission for carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been proposed as a strategy to reduce nosocomial infections. The objective of this study was to determine the long-term costs and health benefits of selective and universal screening for MRSA at hospital admission, using both PCR-based and chromogenic media-based tests in various settings. Methodology/Principal Findings A simulation model of MRSA transmission was used to determine costs and effects over 15 years from a US healthcare perspective. We compared admission screening together with isolation of identified carriers against a baseline policy without screening or isolation. Strategies included selective screening of high risk patients or universal admission screening, with PCR-based or chromogenic media-based tests, in medium (5%) or high nosocomial prevalence (15%) settings. The costs of screening and isolation per averted MRSA infection were lowest using selective chromogenic-based screening in high and medium prevalence settings, at $4,100 and $10,300, respectively. Replacing the chromogenic-based test with a PCR-based test costs $13,000 and $36,200 per additional infection averted, and subsequent extension to universal screening with PCR would cost $131,000 and $232,700 per additional infection averted, in high and medium prevalence settings respectively. Assuming $17,645 benefit per infection averted, the most cost-saving strategies in high and medium prevalence settings were selective screening with PCR and selective screening with chromogenic, respectively. Conclusions/Significance Admission screening costs $4,100–$21,200 per infection averted, depending on strategy and setting. Including financial benefits from averted infections, screening could well be cost saving. PMID:21483492

Fracture admissions after burns: A retrospective longitudinal study.

PubMed

Duke, Janine M; Randall, Sean M; Fear, Mark W; Boyd, James H; Wood, Fiona M

2017-09-01

Severe burn triggers systemic responses that result in reduced muscle mass and changes in bone formation, with recent evidence also suggesting systemic effects on bone after minor burns. The aim of this study was to assess if people hospitalised with a burn have increased admissions for fractures after discharge. A population-based longitudinal study using linked hospital morbidity and death data from Western Australia was undertaken of all persons hospitalised for a first burn (n=30,997) during the period 1980-2012. Australian population-based annual rates for fracture admissions for the period 1993-2012 were obtained from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Rates of hospital admissions for fractures in the burn cohort and the Australian population were standardised, using the direct method, to the age and gender structure of the Western Australian population at the 2006. Annual standardised fracture admission rates for the period 1993-2012 were graphed with estimated 95% confidence intervals. Age and gender specific fracture rates were also examined. A total of 4004 members of the burn cohort had at least one fracture admission for a total of 6096. The median (IQR) time to the first fracture admission after burn was 6.9 years (2.8-13.6) and the median age (IQR) at first fracture admission was 31 years (20-49). The burn cohort experienced admissions for fractures at a rate approximately twice that of the Australian population. While rates were generally higher for males in the burn cohort when compared with males in the Australian population, female burn patients had significantly higher rates over the entire study period when compared with the female Australian population. Elevated rates were observed for those younger than 20 years at the time of the burn admission; however, rates were significantly and consistently elevated during the study period for those 20 years and older at the time of the burn. Burn patients experienced significantly higher

Reducing admissions with patient group directions.

PubMed

Wat, Dennis; Glossage, Elaine; Hampson, Onnor; Sibley, Sarah

In times of financial restrictions and reform impediments, health services need to invest in resources that provide value for money and reduce hospital admissions. Improving disease management in the community is a primary target for those trying to reduce costs. The second most common cause of emergency admissions to hospital is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and it has been suggested that more effective treatments and better management of the condition would likely result in an estimated 5% fewer admissions to hospital, saving around pound 15.5m each year. This article discusses how savings could be made by improving care provided in the community.

Reclaiming the Educational Role of Chief Admission Officers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

McDonough, Patricia; Robertson, Larry

1995-01-01

Describes changes that have occurred in high schools, colleges, and the entrepreneurial admission sector. Relates the evolution of the admission officer's job since the early 1960s and the profession's rapid growth. Details the hybrid role of marketer and educator for chief admissions officers, and issues a call for professional standards. (RJM)

Performance of third-year primary-care-track students in an integrated curriculum at Case Western Reserve University.

PubMed

Lewin, L O; Papp, K K; Hodder, S L; Workings, M G; Wolfe, L; Glover, P; Headrick, L A

1999-01-01

In 1994, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine established a Primary Care Track (PCT) with an integrated curriculum as part of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Generalist Physician Initiative. This study compared the performance of the first cohort of students to participate in the PCT third year with that of their classmates and determined student attitudes toward their experiences. The performances of 24 PCT and 81 traditional students on the Medical School Admissions Test (MCAT) and the United States Medical Licensure Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and 2 were compared using analysis of variance. Grades on the six core clerkships were compared using chi-square analysis. Performances of the PCT students and a subset of traditional students on the generalist school's objective structured clinical exam (OSCE) were compared using multivariate analysis. The students reported their perceptions on a questionnaire. The traditional students had significantly higher scores on the physical science section of the MCAT and on the USMLE Step 1, but at the end of year three, their USMLE Step 2 scores did not differ. Grade distributions in the core clerkships did not differ, except in psychiatry, where the PCT students received honors significantly more often. The PCT students had a lower mean score on the internal medicine National Board of Medicine Examiners shelf exam but performed better on the generalist OSCE exam. A majority of PCT students reported that they would choose the integrated third year again and recommend it to others.

Can Combined Bypass Surgery at Middle Cerebral Artery Territory Save Anterior Cerebral Artery Territory in Adult Moyamoya Disease?

PubMed

Cho, Won-Sang; Kim, Jeong Eun; Paeng, Jin Chul; Suh, Minseok; Kim, Yong-Il; Kang, Hyun-Seung; Son, Young Je; Bang, Jae Seung; Oh, Chang Wan

2017-03-01

Patients with moyamoya disease are frequently encountered with improved symptoms related to anterior cerebral artery territory (ACAt) and middle cerebral artery territory (MCAt) after bypass surgery at MCAt. To evaluate hemodynamic changes in MCAt and ACAt after bypass surgery in adult moyamoya disease. Combined bypass surgery was performed on 140 hemispheres in 126 patients with MCAt symptoms. Among them, 87 hemispheres (62.1%) accompanied preoperative ACAt symptoms. Clinical, hemodynamic, and angiographic states were evaluated preoperatively and approximately 6 months after surgery. Preoperative symptoms resolved in 127 MCAt (90.7%) and 82 ACAt (94.3%). Hemodynamic analysis of total patients showed a significant improvement in MCAt basal perfusion and reservoir capacity ( P < .001 and P = .002, respectively) and ACAt basal perfusion ( P = .001). In a subgroup analysis, 82 hemispheres that completely recovered from preoperative ACAt symptoms showed a significant improvement in MCAt basal perfusion and reservoir capacity ( P < .001 and P = .05, respectively) and ACAt basal perfusion ( P = .04). Meanwhile, 53 hemispheres that had never experienced ACAt symptoms significantly improved MCAt basal perfusion and reservoir capacity ( P < .001 and P = .05, respectively); however, no ACAt changes were observed. A qualitative angiographic analysis demonstrated a higher trend of leptomeningeal formation from MCAt to ACAt in the former subgroup ( P = .05). During follow-up, no ACAt infarctions were observed. Combined bypass surgery at MCAt resulted in hemodynamic improvements in ACAt and MCAt, especially in patients with preoperative ACAt symptoms. Copyright © 2017 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

Serum antibody response to Moraxella catarrhalis proteins OMP CD, OppA, Msp22, Hag, and PilA2 after nasopharyngeal colonization and acute otitis media in children.

PubMed

Ren, Dabin; Almudevar, Anthony L; Murphy, Timothy F; Lafontaine, Eric R; Campagnari, Anthony A; Luke-Marshall, Nicole; Casey, Janet R; Pichichero, Michael E

2015-10-26

There is no licensed vaccine for Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat), which is a prominent bacterium causing acute otitis media (AOM) in children and lower respiratory tract infections in adults. Nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization caused by respiratory bacteria results in natural immunization of the host. To identify Mcat antigens as vaccine candidates, we evaluated the development of naturally induced antibodies to 5 Mcat surface proteins in children 6-30 months of age during Mcat NP colonization and AOM. Human serum IgG against the recombinant Mcat proteins, outer membrane protein (OMP) CD, oligopeptide permease (Opp)A, hemagglutinin (Hag), Moraxella surface protein (Msp)22, and PilA clade 2 (PilA2) was quantitated by using an ELISA assay. There were 223 Mcat NP colonization episodes documented in 111 (60%) of 184 children in the study. Thirty five Mcat AOM episodes occurred in 30 (16%) of 184 children. All 5 Mcat candidate vaccine antigens evaluated stimulated a significant rise in serum IgG levles over time from 6 to 36 months of age (P<0.001), with a rank order as follows: Msp22=OppA>OMP CD=Hag=PilA2. Children with no detectable Mcat NP colonization showed a higher serum IgG level against OppA, Hag, and Msp22 compared to those with Mcat NP colonization (P<0.05). Individual data showed that some children responded to AOM with an antibody increase to one or more of the studied Mcat proteins but some children failed to respond. Serum antibody to Mcat candidate vaccine proteins OMP CD, OppA, Msp22, Hag, and PilA2 increased with age in naturally immunized children age 6-30 months following Mcat NP colonization and AOM. High antibody levels against OppA, Msp22, and Hag correlated with reduced carriage. The results support further investigation of these vaccine candidates in protecting against Mcat colonization and infection. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Serum antibody response to Moraxella catarrhalis proteins OMP CD, OppA, Msp22, Hag, and PilA2 after nasopharyngeal colonization and acute otitis media in children

PubMed Central

Ren, Dabin; Almudevar, Anthony L.; Murphy, Timothy F.; Lafontaine, Eric R.; Campagnari, Anthony A.; Luke-Marshall, Nicole; Casey, Janet R.; Pichichero, Michael E.

2015-01-01

Background There is no licensed vaccine for Moraxella catarrhalis (Mcat), which is a prominent bacterium causing acute otitis media (AOM) in children and lower respiratory tract infections in adults. Nasopharyngeal (NP) colonization caused by respiratory bacteria results in natural immunization of the host. To identify Mcat antigens as vaccine candidates, we evaluated the development of naturally induced antibodies to 5 Mcat surface proteins in children 6–30 months of age during Mcat NP colonization and AOM. Methods Human serum IgG against the recombinant Mcat proteins, outer membrane protein (OMP) CD, oligopeptide permease (Opp)A, hemagglutinin (Hag), Moraxella surface protein (Msp)22, and PilA clade 2 (PilA2) was quantitated by using an ELISA assay. Results There were 223 Mcat NP colonization episodes documented in 111 (60%) of 184 children in the study. Thirty five Mcat AOM episodes occurred in 30 (16%) of 184 children. All 5 Mcat candidate vaccine antigens evaluated stimulated a significant rise in serum IgG levles over time from 6 to 36 months of age (P < 0.001), with a rank order as follows: Msp22 = OppA > OMP CD = Hag = PilA2. Children with no detectable Mcat NP colonization showed a higher serum IgG level against OppA, Hag, and Msp22 compared to those with Mcat NP colonization (P < 0.05). Individual data showed that some children responded to AOM with an antibody increase to one or more of the studied Mcat proteins but some children failed to respond. Conclusions Serum antibody to Mcat candidate vaccine proteins OMP CD, OppA, Msp22, Hag, and PilA2 increased with age in naturally immunized children age 6–30 months following Mcat NP colonization and AOM. High antibody levels against OppA, Msp22, and Hag correlated with reduced carriage. The results support further investigation of these vaccine candidates in protecting against Mcat colonization and infection. PMID:26392013

Heat and emergency room admissions in the Netherlands.

PubMed

van Loenhout, Joris Adriaan Frank; Delbiso, Tefera Darge; Kiriliouk, Anna; Rodriguez-Llanes, Jose Manuel; Segers, Johan; Guha-Sapir, Debarati

2018-01-05

Due to a global warming-related increase in heatwaves, it is important to obtain detailed understanding of the relationship between heat and health. We assessed the relationship between heat and urgent emergency room admissions in the Netherlands. We collected daily maximum temperature and relative humidity data over the period 2002-2007. Daily urgent emergency room admissions were divided by sex, age group and disease category. We used distributed lag non-linear Poisson models, estimating temperature-admission associations. We estimated the relative risk (RR) for urgent hospital admissions for a range of temperatures compared to a baseline temperature of 21 °C. In addition, we compared the impact of three different temperature scenarios on admissions using the RR. There is a positive relationship between increasing temperatures above 21 °C and the RR for urgent emergency room admissions for the disease categories 'Potential heat-related diseases' and 'Respiratory diseases'. This relationship is strongest in the 85+ group. The RRs are strongest for lag 0. For admissions for 'circulatory diseases', there is only a small significant increase of RRs within the 85+ age group for moderate heat, but not for extreme heat. The RRs for a one-day event with extreme heat are comparable to the RRs for multiple-day events with moderate heat. Hospitals should adjust the capacity of their emergency departments on warm days, and the days immediately thereafter. The elderly in particular should be targeted through prevention programmes to reduce harmful effects of heat. The fact that this increase in admissions already occurs in temperatures above 21 °C is different from previous findings in warmer countries. Given the similar impact of three consecutive days of moderate heat and one day of extreme heat on admissions, criteria for activation of national heatwave plans need adjustments based on different temperature scenarios.

49 CFR 1114.3 - Admissibility of business records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-10-01

... 49 Transportation 8 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Admissibility of business records. 1114.3 Section... § 1114.3 Admissibility of business records. Any writing or record, whether in the form of an entry in a... be admissible as evidence thereof if it appears that it was made in the regular course of business...

49 CFR 1114.3 - Admissibility of business records.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 8 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Admissibility of business records. 1114.3 Section... § 1114.3 Admissibility of business records. Any writing or record, whether in the form of an entry in a... be admissible as evidence thereof if it appears that it was made in the regular course of business...

The relationship between thermal sensation and the rate of hospital admissions for cardiovascular disease in Kermanshah, Iran

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohammadi, Bakhtiyar; Karimi, Shilan

2017-11-01

Climate and weather conditions are the most important factors that influence activities and human health. Bioclimatology/biometeorology are concerned with the study of weather effects on living creatures, including humans, plants, and animals. This research was prepared in order to understand the bioclimatic condition of Kermanshah and its relation to the level of hospital admissions of cardiovascular patients in this city. In addition to the climatic variables, the statistics on the number of daily admissions of cardiovascular patients in Kermanshah during March 27, 2009 to April 30, 2015 was prepared. First, Kermanshah's bioclimatic conditions were identified on a daily basis. Then, the relationship between each of the thermal sensations with the level of hospital admissions of cardiovascular patients in Kermanshah using Levene's test, univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA), Scheffe and Games-Howell post hoc tests was investigated. The results of this study showed that in each index, only very few bioclimatic conditions have had an impact on the increase of hospital admissions of cardiovascular diseases. For example, based on the equivalent temperature index (Tek or EqT), there is a significant relationship between extreme conditions and the rate of cardiovascular admissions. But, however, in the effective temperature index (TE), a significant correlation between warm/hot conditions and an increase in the number of cardiovascular admissions was seen. Based on the predicted mean vote (PMV) and physiological equivalent temperature (PET) indices, cool and cold conditions more than warm and comfort conditions have an effect on the number of hospital admissions of cardiovascular patients. Overall, the obtained results showed that the extreme climatic conditions were directly related to an increase in cardiovascular disease in Kermanshah.

Analysis of failed discharge after ambulatory surgery: unanticipated admission.

PubMed

Van Caelenberg, Els; De Regge, Melissa; Eeckloo, Kristof; Coppens, Marc

2018-05-30

Advantages of ambulatory surgery are lost when patients need an unplanned admission. This retrospective cohort study investigated reasons for failed discharge and unanticipated admission of adult patients after day surgery. Ambulatory patients (n = 145) requiring unanticipated admission were compared to patients (n = 4980) not requiring admission and timely discharged from a total of 5156 ambulatory surgical procedures. Demographic data, organisational data, reason for admission, type of anesthesia, surgical discipline, length of procedure, ASA classification, surgical completion time and severity of illness score were collected from both groups. Reason for admission was classified according to four subtypes. Logistic regression analysis was used. Incidence of unanticipated admission following day care surgery was 2.89%. The reasons for admission were mainly organisational issues (45.52%), time of completion surgery in the afternoon between 12 pm and 3 pm (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.05-2.86) and surgery that ends after 3 pm (OR 6.52; 95% CI 4.11-10.34). Surgical factors associated with unanticipated admission (38.62%) were length of surgery of one to three hours (OR 2.05; 95% CI 1.27-3.29), length of surgery more than three hours (OR 8.31; 95% CI 3.56-19.40). Additionally, anaesthetic (10.34%) and medical (5.52%) reasons were found, e.g. ASA class II (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.06-2.44), ASA class III (OR 2.19; 95% CI 1.10-4.34); moderate severity of illness score (OR 1.72; 95% CI 1.03-2.88) and major of severity of illness score (OR 7.85; 95% CI 2.31-26.62). Unanticipated admissions following day surgery occur mainly due to social/organisational and surgical reasons. However, medical and anaesthetic reasons also explain 15.86% of the unanticipated admissions.

Potentially preventable complications in epilepsy admissions: The "weekend effect".

PubMed

Ho, Lianne; Kramer, Daniel R; Wen, Timothy; Moalem, Alimohammad S; Millett, David; Heck, Christianne N; Mack, William J; Liu, Charles Y

2017-05-01

Epilepsy affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States with frequent hospital admissions accounting for a significant burden on patients and society as a whole. Weekend admissions have generally been found to have poorer outcomes compared to weekday admissions with increased rates of preventable complications, such as nationally identified "hospital-acquired conditions" (HAC). This study aimed to assess the impact of weekend admission on HACs and mortality in the adult epilepsy population. All adult patients with epilepsy hospitalized in the U.S. from 2000 to 2010 in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. There were 12,997,181 admissions for epilepsy with 10,106,152 (78%) weekday, 2,891,019 (22%) weekend, and 10 (<0.1%) missing admissions. Weekend admissions saw a 10% increased likelihood of both HACs (RR=1.10, 95% CI:1.09, 1.11, p<0.01) and mortality (RR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.11, p<0.01) compared to weekday admissions. The occurrence of HAC was associated with higher inpatient charges (RR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.35, 1.36, p<0.01), pLOS (RR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.21, 1.22, p<0.01), and higher mortality (RR=1.13, 95% CI: 1.12, 1.14, p<0.01). Prior studies have shown weekend admissions are usually associated with higher rates of complications leading to higher costs and a longer hospital stay. Likewise, weekend admissions for epilepsy were associated with increased rates of HACs and mortality; however, they were also negatively associated with LOS and total charge. Thus, weekend admissions for epilepsy should be considered high risk with greater effort made to mitigate these risks. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Perceptions of admission committee members: some aspects on individual admission to dental education at Karolinska Institutet.

PubMed

Röding, Karin

2005-08-01

The aim of the study was to generate an overall impression of the admission committee's (AC) perspective on individualised admission procedures, derived from some perceived experience of the individual committee members using semi-structured interviews. Qualitative research was used and data were collected by use of interviews. The results show that the committee members are highly committed to the task and try to identify desirable, non-cognitive attributes in the applicants, such as motivation, empathy, drive, and tenacity: 'emotional intelligence'. The committee members were of the opinion that it was possible to identify these attributes in an applicant. The AC further believes that the admissions procedure influences academic achievements because students regard themselves as specially selected and therefore aspire to higher achievements.

A multi-centre randomised trial to compare the effectiveness of geriatrician-led admission avoidance hospital at home versus inpatient admission.

PubMed

Shepperd, Sasha; Cradduck-Bamford, Andrea; Butler, Chris; Ellis, Graham; Godfrey, Mary; Gray, Alastair; Hemsley, Anthony; Khanna, Pradeep; Langhorne, Peter; McCaffrey, Patricia; Mirza, Lubena; Pushpangadan, Maj; Ramsay, Scott; Schiff, Rebekah; Stott, David; Young, John; Yu, Ly-Mee

2017-10-23

There is concern that existing models of acute hospital care will become unworkable as the health service admits an increasing number of frail older people with complex health needs, and that there is inadequate evidence to guide the planning of acute hospital level services. We aim to evaluate whether geriatrician-led admission avoidance to hospital at home is an effective alternative to hospital admission. We are conducting a multi-site randomised open trial of geriatrician-led admission avoidance hospital at home, compared with admission to hospital. We are recruiting older people with markers of frailty or prior dependence who have been referred to admission avoidance hospital at home for an acute medical event. This includes patients presenting with delirium, functional decline, dependence, falls, immobility or a background of dementia presenting with physical disease. Participants are randomised using a computerised random number generator to geriatrician-led admission avoidance hospital at home or a control group of inpatient admission in a 2:1 ratio in favour of the intervention. The primary endpoint 'living at home' (the inverse of death or living in a residential care setting) is measured at 6 months follow-up, and we also collect data on this outcome at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include the incidence of delirium, mortality, new long-term residential care, cognitive impairment, activities of daily living, quality of life and quality-adjusted survival, length of stay, readmission or transfer to hospital. We will conduct a parallel economic evaluation, and a process evaluation that includes an interview study to explore the experiences of patients and carers. Health systems around the world are examining how to provide acute hospital-level care to older adults in greater numbers with a fixed or shrinking hospital resource. This trial is the first large multi-site randomised trial of geriatrician-led admission avoidance hospital at home, and will

A Proposed Model for PSDS Admissions. Technical Report Number 15.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Melendrez, Gilbert; And Others

The purpose of the Program of Special Directed Studies (PSDS) is: (1) to identify a group of secondary school seniors and recent graduates with marked intellectual ability and potential for academic attainment whose achievement, as measured by standard tests and school records, is inadequate to secure admission to degree programs at accredited and…

Seasonality of Admissions for Mania: Results From a General Hospital Psychiatric Unit in Pondicherry, India

PubMed Central

Sarkar, Siddharth

2015-01-01

Introduction: Bipolar disorder is affected by variables that modulate circadian rhythm, including seasonal variations. There is evidence of a seasonal pattern of admissions of mania in various geographical settings, though its timing varies by region and climate. Variables such as age and gender have been shown to affect seasonality in some studies. Methodology: Data on monthly admission patterns for mania at a general hospital psychiatry unit in Pondicherry, India, were collected for 4 years (2010–2013) and analyzed for seasonality and seasonal peaks. The effects of age and gender were analyzed separately. Results: There was overall evidence of a seasonal pattern of admissions for mania (P < .01, Friedman test for seasonality), with a peak beginning during the rainy season and ending before summer (P < .0.1, Ratchet circular scan test). Male sex (P < .005, Ratchet circular scan test) and age > 25 years (P < .005, Ratchet circular scan test) were specifically associated with this seasonal peak. Discussion: The effect of seasons on mania is complex and is modulated by a variety of variables. Our study is consistent with earlier research findings: a greater degree of seasonality for mania in men. It is possible that climatic and individual variables interact to determine seasonal patterns in bipolar disorder in a given setting. PMID:26644962